Bermuda’s Flora Duffy inscribed both the names of herself and her country in the history books on Tuesday, after claiming a gold medal in the Women’s Triathlon.
Duffy finished the three-discipline event in a time of 1 hour, 55 minutes, and 36 seconds to win gold ahead of Georgia Taylor-Brown of Great Britain and Katie Zaferes from the USA.
“I can’t quite believe it. Olympic Champion,” Duffy remarked on social media, as she became the first person from Bermuda to win an Olympic gold medal. The country had previously gotten on the medal podium through the exploits of Clarence Hill, a boxer who claimed bronze at the 1976 Olympics. Duffy has taken them to the very top.
Her winning gold also interestingly makes Bermuda, with a population of approximately 62,000 people, the smallest country to ever win an Olympic gold medal.
“I think the whole of Bermuda is going crazy, that’s what makes it so special.”
Duffy, who also won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2018, went into the Tokyo Games as the favourite to win gold and delivered.
“It’s been a heck of a lot of pressure, I would never recommend being an Olympic favourite but it’s all worth it now.”
Elaine Thompson-Herah expresses confidence as Tokyo reign gears up for Paris 2024
As the countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympics intensifies, Jamaica's track and field sensation Elaine Thompson-Herah is feeling optimistic about her preparations as she aims to secure an unprecedented third consecutive sprint double. The Olympic champion shared her thoughts in an exclusive interview with Athletics Weekly, shedding light on her training regimen and mindset leading up to the Games.
"Training is going good so far; the work is never easy, it’s always hard. It’s an Olympic year so you have to put in that work," said Thompson-Herah, whose 10.61 in Tokyo is the Olympic record.
Under the guidance of Elite Performance Head Coach Renaldo Walcott, who also mentors the legendary Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Thompson-Herah acknowledged the adjustments required with a new coaching setup but expressed satisfaction with the progress.
Reflecting on her pursuit of greatness, Thompson-Herah emphasized the importance of continuous improvement. "It’s more about tweaks and adjustments because if you want to be great, you have to make tweaks and adjustments," she explained. "Along my career to be better each time, I go to improve and to work towards my dreams and my goals."
Thompson-Herah recognizes the formidable competition she faces, including her compatriots Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, as well as American standout Sha’Carri Richardson. Despite the challenges ahead, she remains grounded yet resolute in her aspirations.
"I’m definitely confident, not super or over, but confident," Thompson-Herah affirmed. "I just want to stay focused and humble, have the right mindset and stay positive, no matter what obstacles or struggles come my way."
Having battled through injury setbacks, Thompson-Herah approaches this Olympic year with a mindful approach to her physical well-being. "It’s been super-difficult to know what you’re capable of and you’re not able to do that," she admitted. "For me, it’s all about staying patient and humble."
Acknowledging the evolution of her athletic journey, Thompson-Herah emphasized the importance of body maintenance and self-care. "It’s almost like you have a car; you have to service the car," she explained. "If I don’t service my body, I cannot produce to get those world record and times that I want."
As Thompson-Herah continues her preparations with a keen eye on the Paris Olympics, her dedication and resilience serve as testament to her unwavering pursuit of athletic excellence and historic achievements on the track.
Mayberry Investments supports Jamaican ice hockey team's Olympic quest
Mayberry Investments Limited (MIL), a staunch supporter of Jamaican sports, has reaffirmed its commitment to athletic excellence by partnering with the Jamaican Ice Hockey Team. This impactful collaboration includes a significant sponsorship of US$10,000 to aid the team's participation in qualifying tournaments for the Winter Olympic Games in Chicago.
As a prominent financial institution deeply rooted in the Jamaican community, Mayberry Investments recognizes the importance of nurturing local talent and showcasing Jamaica's prowess on the global stage. Through this partnership, the company aims to not only bolster the Jamaican Ice Hockey Team's pursuit of Olympic qualification but also to spotlight the nation's capabilities in winter sports.
"We're thrilled to embark on this journey alongside the Jamaican Ice Hockey Team as they strive for Olympic qualification," expressed Chris Berry, Executive Chairman of Mayberry Investments Limited. "Our sponsorship underscores our steadfast commitment to fostering emerging talent and elevating Jamaica's presence in international sports. Witnessing the team's remarkable performance, we're resolute in our determination to nurture and propel them towards greatness," he added, highlighting Mayberry's unwavering support for the team's trajectory.
The Jamaican Ice Hockey Team, renowned for its extraordinary journey since 2019, has earned global acclaim with an impressive record of 12 victories out of 14 games played. Their comprehensive triumphs against teams from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Lebanon solidify Jamaica's status as one of the premier associate teams on the international stage, as highlighted by Don Anderson, President of the Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Federation.
"We at JOIHF are immensely pleased that Mayberry Investments recognized the value of sponsoring our team for the Tri-State Challenger Series between Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Lebanon," remarked Anderson. "This sponsorship significantly contributed to boosting the team's physical and mental well-being, enabling us to overcome challenges and emerge victorious in the tournament. We cannot overstate our gratitude for this sponsorship, which was embraced wholeheartedly by our directors and, most importantly, the players, who proudly posed in front of the Mayberry banner, particularly when receiving the player of the match awards, which we achieved on 3 out of the 4 occasions we played."
The team is slated to compete in the Challenger series, comprising three tournaments over the next three months, featuring matches against Puerto Rico and Lebanon. The series kicks off in Chicago on April 18–21, followed by events in New York on June 5–9 and Toronto on July 11–14. Anderson continued to commend Mayberry for its invaluable support, underscoring the significance of this partnership.
"JOIHF and the entire team extend heartfelt thanks to Mayberry Investments for their investment in the team," Anderson emphasized. "As a result of this greatly appreciated gesture, Jamaica emerged victorious in the first stage of the series, positioning themselves favorably to vie for the overall trophy in Toronto in July. This sponsorship is a win-win for all involved. Much gratitude from all of us at JOIHF," he concluded.
Through this collaboration, Mayberry Investments Limited aims to inspire a new generation of athletes and champion the values of resilience, determination, and teamwork. This sponsorship exemplifies Mayberry Investments Limited's enduring commitment to empowering local talent and fostering the growth of sports in Jamaica.
-ENDS-
Bajan triathletes produce credible showing at World Development Regional Cup
A six-member Barbados team were left basking in their credible performance at the recently competed 2024 World Triathlon Development Regional Cup in Puerto Rico.
The squad comprised of Zahra Gaskin, Isis Gaskin, Luke McIntyre, Alexis Lashley, Ali Banfield and Laila McIntyre, won one event and also had several other podium finishes.
Laila McIntyre placed first in the girls’ 12-13 super sprint, and also finished second overall in the girls’ 12-15 super sprint. Banfield was right behind her, finishing second in the girls’ 12-13 super sprint, while also placing fifth overall in the girls’ 12-15 super sprint.
Meanwhile, Lashley finished third in the girls’ 14-15 super sprint and fourth overall in the girls’ 12-15 super sprint.
Zahra Gaskin was also impressive, as she registered a third-place finish in the sprint elite females, and second in the female 20+ category, while Isis Gaskin was fourth overall in the sprint elite females, and second in the female 18 to 19 category.
Luke McIntyre, the team's lone male representative, competed in his first Junior Men’s Elite Race where he placed a commendable 11th.
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