Dame Flora Duffy’s legacy is not confined to her incredible sporting achievements but also encompasses the inspiration and support that she has given to others who wish to follow in her footsteps.
The world-class triathlete was appointed Dame Commander of the British Empire for her services to sport in Bermuda following a gold medal performance in the women’s triathlon at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The medal was Bermuda’s first gold at an Olympics, and second medal overall, after boxer Clarence Hill’s bronze at the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal.
Dame Flora, a five-time Olympian, also won gold medals in women’s triathlon at the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, and is a 12-time world champion.
Three years prior to her Olympic gold medal victory in 2021, she set up The Flora Fund to provide grants to aspiring and talented athletes to achieve excellence in a sport of their choice.
Administered via the Bermuda Foundation, the programme gives bursaries to individual athletes, and grants to sporting organisations. The Flora Fund considers the social and economic barriers facing an athlete’s family when determining eligibility for funding.
Since its inception, The Flora Fund has raised more than $200,000.
Dame Flora told Local Legacies: “The Flora Fund has grown slowly over the years and the goal with that is to give back to the community that’s given me so much and help young athletes pursue their sporting goals – how big or how small they are, doesn’t matter.
“Sport has opened so many doors for me, both professionally and personally. It’s a great thing to be involved in, whether that is pursuing it as a career or pursuing it because you enjoy it, a way to meet new people — and of course, the health benefits that come alongside it.”
Dame Flora, 38, is on the final leg of her competitive athletic career and is considering the future of the Flora Fund.
“I am having a few conversations now to see which direction I want to take it, where it would best fit within the community in Bermuda, and exploring what is possible.
“It will always be sport-focused and whether it goes more in a high-performance direction or whether it is more community-based – getting people fit and active – I hope that The Flora Fund continues to grow and can have a larger impact in the Bermuda community.”
The Flora Factor
Steven Petty has witnessed Dame Flora’s journey toward establishing her legacy, beginning with winning her Clarien Ironkids age group for eight consecutive years.
The former president and co-founder of the Bermuda Triathlon Association along with wife Patty, Jim Butterfield, and the late John Cash said: “In the World Triathlon Grand Finals in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2006 she won a silver medal in the female junior elite category; she had announced her arrival.
“Flora continues to inspire the younger triathletes in Bermuda, and we now refer to the ‘Flora Factor’ that has led to the tremendous success of the size and growth in numbers of kids participating in the local youth development programme.
“The success they are having in regional competitions [overall points leading country in the Carifta Triathlon Championships in Tobago 2025] individually and as a team is surely commendable.
“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.
“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.”
Mr Petty said Dame Flora’s win at the 2016 World Triathlon Grand Final in Cozumel, Mexico was the catalyst for Bermuda to host World Triathlon Series events in 2018, 2019 and 2022, two of which she won before adoring crowds.
He said: “Long may her legacy live on.”
Pick a goal and go for it!
Dame Flora said: “I would want my sporting legacy to be that young Bermudians should believe in and are inspired to chase big goals — that competing on the world stage, whether that’s to pursue sports, the arts, going to a particular university, whatever big goal and dream they have, that they’re not limited because they come from a small island, but are empowered because they come from a small, supportive community.”
She hopes that her sporting performances inspire Bermudians to get active and to want to have a healthy lifestyle.
“That doesn’t mean they have to go winning medals at world championships. It’s to be inspired, to pick a goal, training for it and going to do that event. I hope my sporting career can inspire others to want to get active and to set a lofty goal for themselves and to pursue it.”
Dame Flora said it is important that the island celebrates the successes of fellow Bermudians.
“It is a nice reminder for young Bermudians to see what others have done before them and know what’s possible and that they can go on to achieve great things.
“Bermuda has started to do that with the various things across the island celebrating my gold medal win. You also see murals of other sporting stars around the island, which I think are really powerful and impactful because they’re daily reminders of what Bermudians have gone on to do, whether that’s Clyde Best, Nahki Wells, Clarence Hill – there are many out there and celebrating them is important.
“I am grateful that my legacy is being celebrated and hopefully it all leads to inspiring somebody to get fit, to get active, and to chase a big goal.”
