FORMER Mount Kelly pupil Flora Duffy took a leaf out of Tom Daley’s book and won an Olympic gold medal at her fourth attempt.
Duffy, competing for Bermuda, triumphed in the women’s triathlon event in the early hours of Tuesday morning, finishing 14 seconds ahead of Great Britain’s Georgia Taylor-Brown, who took silver.
Like Daley, who ended his wait for an Olympic title on Monday, Duffy had competed as a teenager at the Beijing Games in 2008. But she was left in tears then after she was ejected from the field in the closing stages after getting lapped on the six-lap run.
She gave up triathlon for a while due to illness and injury, but eventually came back to the sport and really made her marking winning world and Commonwealth titles. However, just like Daley, she came into Tokyo missing an Olympic gold from her collection.
Duffy crashed during the London 2012 Olympics had ended up finishing 45th and then came eighth in Rio in 2016.
However, she finally got her hands on gold in Tokyo.
“I achieved my dream of winning a gold medal, but also winning Bermuda’s first gold medal,” said 33-year-old Duffy.
“It feels incredible. Of course, it makes all the injuries, hard times and the tears completely worth it.
“This last extra year it’s been quite challenging, and definitely, I had pressure mounting.
“But I am so thrilled I could execute, and achieved my dream of winning a gold medal.”
It's Gold for OMK Flora Duffy in the Women's Triathlon!!
Incredible scenes. Your MK Family are incredibly proud of you!!
— Mount Kelly Swimming (@MountKellySwim) July 27, 2021