Flora Duffy, Bermuda’s first Olympic gold medal winner, is set to return to the island next week, and the public have been asked to create video messages to welcome her back.

Ernest Peets, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, said: “We want the community to be a part of Flora’s celebration and we think this is a great way for them to participate by sending in their personal messages of congratulations for Flora to see.

“During such a challenging time, seeing our own on the world stage performing like no one before had the effect of bringing us together as a community and as a people.

“That same unity and togetherness is needed now more than ever.”

Ms Duffy is scheduled to return to Bermuda next Monday, with a national holiday – Flora Duffy Day – to be held in her honour on October 18.

As part of the festivities, the ministry urged the public to record short tribute videos on their smart phones and send it via WhatsApp to 703-9001 before October 15.

The videos will be shared on the Government’s social media platforms on Flora Duffy Day.