Bermuda-based Bacardi has donated $10,000 to the Flora Fund to help aspiring Bermudian athletes achieve their dreams.

Olympic gold medal-winner Flora Duffy cycled to the Bacardi global headquarters on Pitts Bay Road to collect the company’s contribution.

Ms Duffy, who was joined by her husband, also shared an original cocktail, the “Flora Gold,” with company staff as a show of appreciation.

Douglas Mello, the managing director of Bacardi, said: “Bacardi has been a family-owned company for seven generations and has nearly 160 years of history.

“We understand the importance of building a legacy and establishing foundations that will serve as the bedrock for those that come after us.

“We are proud of Flora’s achievements as Bermuda’s first Olympic gold medal-winner and equally proud that she has established a fund that aims to enable aspiring youth to achieve excellence in sport.

“These funds are for ʽthe next generation’ and we hope that it will help others to achieve greatness and continue to build on the legacy Flora has started.”

Mr Mello added: “We are hopeful that the World Triathlon Sprint and Relay Championships will be rescheduled next year, where Bacardi plans to have a strong showing of support.

“We are excited to watch Flora dominate the competition again and hope that other young local athletes are inspired by her achievements and will benefit from her success.”

Bacardi sponsored the ITU World Triathlon Series for the past four years and hosted the Bacardi 8K Run, which Ms Duffy had participated in, for 12 years.

• For more information on how to donate to the Flora Fund, call the Bermuda Community Foundation at 294-4959