People at home and abroad have paid tribute to triathlon great Dame Flora Duffy, who has retired at the age of 38.

On behalf of the Government, sports minister Owen Darrell was keen to praise the impact Duffy had made in bringing Bermuda to a wider audience.

“Today, Bermuda celebrates the extraordinary career of Dame Flora Duffy, one of the greatest athletes our island has ever produced,” Darrell said.

“From competing in the Iron Kids Triathlon at just 8 years old, Flora’s passion for sport was born here in Bermuda.

“Few could have imagined that the young girl racing around our island would one day become an Olympic champion, a four-times World Triathlon champion, a six-times Xterra world champion, a two-times Commonwealth Games gold medalist, and one of the most accomplished triathletes in the history of the sport.

“While her list of achievements is extraordinary, what has always stood out is the pride with which she represented Bermuda. Every time she wore our colours, she showed the world that excellence knows no boundaries and that a small island can produce the very best.

“Flora’s legacy extends beyond the medals she has won. Through the Flora Fund, she has chosen to invest in Bermuda’s future by supporting aspiring young athletes, demonstrating that true champions also inspire and uplift those who follow.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, I thank Dame Flora Duffy for inspiring generations of Bermudians to dream boldly, work tirelessly, and believe that anything is possible.

“Congratulations on an exceptional career, Flora. We wish you every success and happiness in this next chapter, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact you will have on Bermuda and the world beyond competition.”

Olympian Tyler Smith, who represented Bermuda at the Paris Games in 2024, was among the first to outline how Duffy’s influence propelled him into the highest level of the sport.

“Flora’s accomplishments from a lifetime pursuit of triathlon excellence transcend the sport,” Smith said.

“She retires widely considered one of the best short-course triathletes of all time and her skill and aggressiveness undoubtedly changed the way the sport is raced for ever, but what she has done for our country goes beyond any of her performances on the race course.

“She united us in celebration of her two Commonwealth gold medals and the island’s first-ever Olympic gold medal. She inspired Bermudians, young and old, to believe that we can have an impact on the world stage. She has inspired our country to get active and encouraged our young people to pursue their sporting dreams.

“For me personally, she went from being a childhood idol to a mentor, training partner, and finally an Olympic team-mate. Her willingness to invite me, as a young athlete, to train with her first in South Africa and then on a full-time basis in Colorado is a reflection of her commitment to helping the next generation.

“We could have asked for no better ambassador to fly our flag [usually atop the podium] on the world stage for the better part of the last two decades.”

Duffy represented Bermuda at five Olympic Games and Peter Dunne, president of the Bermuda Olympic Association, was among those to pay tribute.

“Flora has been and remains an inspiration to not only to the sporting community of Bermuda but the entire island,“ he said.

“She has demonstrated to all of us that achieving greatness is possible when commitment to the goal is paramount. Her journey with the Bermuda Olympic Association events includes five Olympic Games, two Pan Am Games and, of course, her gold medals at two Commonwealth Games and the Tokyo Olympics.

“While Flora has brought to a close her professional triathlon career, we know that she will remain close to Bermuda and Bermuda’s athletes. On behalf of the Bermuda Olympic Association, I offer Flora our congratulations and thanks for all that she has done, and we look forward to working with her in the coming years as one of the great ambassadors of Bermuda.”

Duffy was a four-times World Triathlon champion and Antonio F. Arimany, president of World Triathlon, revealed how important Duffy is to the sport.

“Flora Duffy is an icon and an inspiration,” he said.

“From her first races to the very pinnacle of triathlon achievement, Flora has been a phenomenal ambassador for the sport and for her country. Her presence will be missed, but her legacy will live on and list of achievements may never be topped, such is the impact Flora has had since she joined the first-ever Team ITU development squad back in 2006.

“On behalf of World Triathlon, I would like to thank her for the remarkable contribution she has made to our sport and wish her every success for the next chapter.”

Steven Petty, former president of the Bermuda Triathlon Association, added his voice to the appreciation of Bermuda’s best athlete.

“The Flora factor has not only inspired the junior triathletes but also the parents who have obtained official and coaching credentials to assist in a much more meaningful way,” he said.

“She made everyone realise that anything is possible even from a little island in the middle of the Atlantic. Whenever she’s in Bermuda, she always makes sure she’s accessible and spends some time with the younger triathletes. Long may her legacy live on.”