The 30-year-old has won the World Triathlon Series title for the past two years and will have her sights set on further success at the Olympic Games.

Duffy, who finished eighth at Rio 2016, will be one of four members of the Bermudan Olympic team to receive funding.

Sailor Cecilia Wollmann is also set to be backed by the BOA, along with track and field athletes Tyrone Smith and Tre Houston.

Smith missed out on reaching the men's long jump final at Rio 2016, while Houston was unable to reach the semi-finals of the men's 200 metres.

High jumper Jah-Nhai Perinchief, who finished seventh at the International Association of Athletics Federations Under-20 World Championships in 2016, will be the final athlete backed.

The five will receive funds as part of an Olympic Scholarship, which comes through the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Solidarity programme.

"To perform at the elite level requires an athlete to commit himself or herself to almost full-time training, which requires a substantial financial commitment," BOA President Judy Simons told The Royal Gazette.

"The BOA is pleased to be able to assist Flora, Ceci, Tyrone, Tre and Jah-Nhai as they train and compete to earn the right to represent Bermuda on the world stage at the Tokyo Games."

Athletes are set to receive $1,000 (£718/€815) per month as part of the initiative, with the support set to be used at training facilities.

A further $5,000 (£3,600/€4,000) will be available to cover transportation costs for Olympic qualification events.