Video: Interview With Olympian Tyler Smith
Bermuda triathlete Tyler Smith – speaking to three-time Olympian Tyrone Smith – said he was inspired to become an Olympian after watching Dame Flora Duffy compete at the 2012 London Games.
Smith was 14 years old when he travelled to Europe for the first time for a family vacation and attended the women’s triathlon, where he cheered on a 24-year-old Duffy taking on the world’s best.
“I remember there were a ton of Bermudians in Hyde Park watching Tyler [Butterfield] and Flora,” Smith told former long jumper Tyrone Smith, who interviewed him as part of Bernews’ The Best Interviews the Best series.
“It really inspired me. It’s a funny story – Flora hit a speed bump and one of her water bottles went flying.
“I remember sprinting across the road to grab it and pick it up – I still have it in our house!
“I was such a fan and never thought 12 years later I’d be training with her every day.”
The 25-year-old said it still feels “pretty wild” to be preparing to compete at his maiden Olympics.
He won his spot through one of two universality places handed out by the Tripartite Commission, designed to support smaller, emerging triathlon nations.
His seventh-place finish at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, last year proved decisive in ensuring he joins Duffy and Erica Hawley in Bermuda’s triathlon team.
“The fact I’m going to the Olympics is still pretty wild to me,” said Smith, whose triathlete mother, Karen Smith, competed at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 and Melbourne in 2006.
“I think I’ve wrapped my head around it a bit more. All my focus is on the task at hand.”
When Smith takes to the start line on the Pont Alexandre III, he can be forgiven for taking a few seconds to remember the coaches, volunteers, and race organisers back home who have played their part in his triathlon journey.
“We have a rich triathlon community in Bermuda – a lot of people have played a big part over the past 30 and 40 years,” the Boulder-based athlete added.
“The support of the community is everything. That’s who I’m representing – all those who have invested time and energy supporting me over the years.
“I want to make them proud. You think of all those who have given up hours of their time to help me.
“I still have contact with those who coached me when I was young. They still help and advise me when I’m back on the island – that’s super unique to Bermuda.”
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