Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Triathlon - Men's Olympic Distance - Final - Odaiba Marine Park, Tokyo, Japan July 26, 2021. Fans and local residents stand by a barrier to catch a glimpse of the men's triathlon event. REUTERS/Issei Kato
TOKYO (Reuters) - The heart says this is Flora Duffy's moment but Olympic triathlon history suggests that the chances of the Bermudan securing instant national icon status with her country's first gold medal in any sport remain in the lap of the gods.
Ever since Australia opened the 2000 Games with the women's triathlon in the sure belief that home favourite Michellie Jones would triumph in the sport's Olympic debut only to see her finish second behind Switzerland's Brigitte McMahon, things have rarely followed the plot.
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