When reigning Olympic Gold triathlete Dame Flora Duffy takes her place on the pontoon on the Seine in Paris in three weeks’ time, it marks the end of a long, frustrating battle to make the start line.

Flora finished 2022 on a high, winning her second Commonwealth Gold, but was devastated not to race at all in 2023 due to a painful, complicated knee injury which she feared might end her incredible career.

Flora is relieved to be under the radar for Paris 2024, having been favourite for five years leading up to her victory at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games, and says the thought of competing as defending Olympic Champion has been a driving force through the tough times.

Taylor Swift's new album has also played a role! Flora plans to see her perform live in Vienna after the Games.