Dame Flora Duffy heads up the Bermuda team who will represent the country at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, next month.

The Bermuda Olympic Association has released the final list of 17 athletes who have met the qualifying standards for the Games, which will take place from July 28 to August 9.

Bermuda has a strong team heading to Birmingham, with representation from five different sports. The team number has also increased from the eight athletes who competed in Australia at the previous Commonwealth Games in 2018.

“I am pleased with the team selection,” said Donna Raynor, Bermuda’s chef de mission. “I recognise the team is young but they all have a lot of experience. I look forward to working with the officials who will be travelling with each sport and I’m excited about the Commonwealth Games competition for Team Bermuda.”

Duffy, the three-times world champion, who claimed Bermuda’s first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo last year, will be joined by Erica Hawley, Tyler Butterfield, Tyler Smith to race in the mixed team triathlon.

Hawley and Smith are among the island’s emerging talents, having both competed in World Triathlon races, while Butterfield adds a great deal of experience to the team, having appeared at past Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

“It is always an honour representing Bermuda at any significant sporting event, but there is something special about a major games event such as the Commonwealths,” said Butterfield, speaking of his pride in being part of the team and the opportunity to once again fly the flag for his country.

“It is such a privilege and honour to race under the Bermuda flag and wear the Bermuda uniform.”

The athletics contingent within the final squad will be made up of Caitlyn Bobb, Tiara DeRosa, Sakari Famous, Dage Minors and Jah-Nhai Perinchief.

The athletes have been in strong form of late with Famous setting national and outdoor school records in the high jump while competing for her school, McNeese State University, at the Carl Knight Invitational in Texas where she cleared 1.82 metres.

Perinchief has also been jumping well and will be one to watch as he pushes for a spot on the podium in the triple jump. He set an indoor personal best leap of 16.95 metres on his debut at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, in March.

Bobb is also hitting form at the right time, picking up two bronze medals at the Carifta Games in Jamaica in April, when she placed third in the under-20 400 metres and 4 x 400 relay, as she anchored the team to a time of 3min 48.69sec.

“I am super grateful to be able to represent my country on the big stage again participating in the Commonwealth Games,” Famous said. “I’m also excited to share this opportunity with the rest of the team.”

Four cyclists — Caitlin Conyers, Kaden Hopkins, Nicholas Narraway and Conor White — have also met the qualifying standard, while Emma Harvey, Jack Harvey and Madelyn Moore have been selected for swimming. Squash player Emma Keane completes the Bermuda contingent.

“I could not be more honoured to be representing Bermuda amid a group of such talented athletes,” Emma Harvey said. “This is a phenomenal opportunity, and I am incredibly excited to compete and support the rest of the team.”