TONY'S SILVER LINING AS TRIATHLON LIFE KEEPS ON KEEPING ON
The former elite triathlete turned race director and Triathlon Queensland Director just keeps on keeping on and on a day that saw the sun return to yesterday's rain-drenched 2008 Olympic city today, Duffy was a shining light.
He is just one of almost 200 Australian age group triathletes who have made the journey to Beijing this week to compete in one of sport's most challenging world championship events, like Gunnedah mother of two Lauren Robertson, Sydney father-of-five Michael Moroney, Launceston's 19-year-old self-coached James Hodge and his team mate from Cronulla in Sydney Matt Williams.
Robertson, who had a vocal group of friends, fellow triathletes and supporters cheering her on, won the 35-39 years Aquathon (2.5 run, 1km swim, 2.5km run) during the week before completing a rare gold medal double in her competitive age group triathlon today.
Moroney, himself a former elite triathlete and recent NSW Head Coach and Engadine swim and triathlon coach, celebrated his 31st year of competition with a win in yesterday's 45-49 years Sprint Distance Triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run).
Hodge, who was on the course assisting the Paratriathletes on Friday, will be toasting his gold medal win over silver medallist Williams in the 18-19 years division today with a bottle of champagne presented to him yesterday by newly crowned Elite World Champion, Great Britain's London Olympic favourite Alistair Brownlee.
They represent triathletes of all shapes and sizes and abilities, from the best youngsters in the world to former elites who are addicted for life, mothers, fathers, grandfathers and many who are late bloomers in the world of competitive triathlon.
Their enthusiasm for life and the sport of triathlon is infectious and the camraderie and mateship is something to behold and to bottle.
But then there is Tony Duffy. If you're searching for one inspirational story among so many then Tony is your man.
He is about to celebrate his 30th year of competitive triathlon and what better way to put a fitting candle on the cake than with his first ever silver medal in the Dextro Energy ITU World Triathlon Age Group Championship.
And it followed his gold medal win over fellow Australian Michael Anderson in the 50-54 year World Championship Aquathon earlier in the week, setting him up for the main event, a crack at the Olympic distance triathlon world title.
"Come on Tony....come on champion," screamed one lone voice among a host of enthusiastic Aussie supporters, basking in the Beijing sun as Tony ran past the grandstand for one last time.
He was fifth out of the water behind a host of former "American College swimmers" in the 1.5km swim; but was quick to peg three of them back on the 40km bike course and then set out to run the others down as he slotted in to his groove for the 10km run that saw him pass athletes in all age groups, many much younger than his 53 years.
Only brilliant American Kyle Welch stood between Tony and the gold medal in the hot and humid conditions.
As he headed towards the finish shoot in fine style he was handed an Aussie flag which he proudly hoisted in one hand, while clutching at his weary hamsting with the other.
Struggling to catch his breath and dowsing himself with water, Duffy kept asking his fellow triathletes: 'Did I win mate?....Do you know if I won...was there an American in front of me?"
And in the confusing world that is age group triathlon with triathletes of all ages charging to the finish with their transponders sending results to the main computer system, all his team mates could say was: "We're not sure mate but you were on fire...you were flying."
Duffy still wasn't certain of the result until later in the day when the results were made official - Welsh (USA) gold, Duffy (Australia) silver and Steve Pyle (USA) bronze with John Hill (Australia) fourth.
"That's the tenth time I've contested these world championships and my best previous effort was fourth on the Gold Coast in 2009, when I had a bad hamstring and could hardly run," said Duffy.
"So to finally win a medal is something I'm extremely proud of and something I probably thought was never going to happen."
Four years ago doctors told the super-fit Duffy he would never walk again and certainly never race again after an horrific bike crash that saw him hospitalised for seven weeks with a broken vertebrae in his hip and pelvis.
After months of rehabilitation and grit determination that is Tony Duffy, this slip of a man with the heart of Phar Lap, was back on his bike determined to continue his over-active lifestyle.
He wasn't going to be stopped from a life that keeps him going and keeps him swimming, riding and running - now finally the best for his age in the world.
"I just love it mate...I love it.....it's in my blood," said Duffy who will return to the famous Noosa Multi-Sport Triathlon Festival again next month, proud of the fact that he has contested all but one in it's celebrated 28-year history.
And why did he miss one?
"I had a broken leg....had a crash and it laid me up for while and forced me out of the 1984 race," said Duffy, who will return home to the Gold Coast this week to put his feet up, for maybe a day or two, before continuing his non-stop journey through life.
He's got his 27th Noosa Triathlon to prepare for next month....they won't start without Tony and a cast of thousands, many of them 'weekend warriors" who are addicted to this triathlon life.