Tough going for Caribbean athletes in triathlon finals
Duffy, who topped the event at the Tokyo 2020 Games, failed to defend her crown but delivered an outstanding performance nonetheless. She stopped the clock in 1:56:12 for fifth, as Frenchwoman Cassandre Beaugrand won gold in 1:54:55.
Duffy, 36, demonstrated her prowess in the swim section, leading the group while skilfully navigating the currents. She was the first to switch to the bike, keeping a steady lead until the 40.0km mark, when she dropped to fifth. Despite her efforts during the run section, Duffy, who boasts the historic feat of being Bermuda's first Olympic champion, couldn't improve her position.
Hawley, in her first senior Olympics, also delivered a commendable performance. She slipped to 41st at the end in 2:02:55 after initially being up with the top 30 competitors at the swim segment.
However, the 26-year-old didn't have the most efficient execution in the bike segment and eventually fell further behind the pack.
Meanwhile, Caribbean men Matthew Wright of Barbados and another Bermudan, Tyler Smith, performed exceptionally in the men's event but also found the going tough as they finished 34th and 48th, respectively.
Wright, 32, making his Olympic debut, had ambitions of a possible top-20 finish but left it too late at the finish as he progressed from 42nd at the start to 34th. He completed the gruelling three-discipline event in 1:49:18.
Smith, 25, also a first-time Olympian, was up with the top 30 early, but lacked the endurance at the end as he finished 48th in 1:51:59.
Great Britain's Alex Yee won gold in 1:43:33.