Ireland scored its maiden Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games, owing to an impeccable performance by Daniel Wiffen in the men’s 800 metres freestyle final. The swimmer from County Armagh had been very confident about his potential to win the gold medal following his top qualification in the heats.
Stating his unwavering determination ahead of the final he expressed, “Every lane bears the potential for victory. I’ll study everyone’s tactics, endeavour to be amongst the top competitors tomorrow night, and focus on doing justice to my ranking”.
Wiffen won the privileged lane four at the Paris La Défense Arena for the final round, where he contested fiercely with Italy’s Gregorio Paltrineri for the lead, ultimately fending off a final spurt from the USA’s Bobby Finke to secure the highest podium.
As his twin brother witnessed the historic moment from the audience, Wiffen, the 23-year-old world champion, touched the finish with an Olympic record time of seven minutes 38.19 seconds, thus, notching up Ireland’s first gold of the Games. Finke, the previous Olympic champion was merely 0.56 seconds behind, securing silver, while Paltrinieri took home the bronze.
Elijah Winnington of Australia initially led for the first 350 metres, only for Wiffen to take over at 250. However, Winnington soon faltered, and the contest heated up amongst the top three. It was at the 650 mark that Paltrinieri claimed the lead, holding on until the last 50.
Appearing fatigued initially, the Irish swimmer found reserves of energy, and with an explosive final lap clinched victory. Overwhelmed with joy, Wiffen gestured towards the crowd, which included a significant Irish fraction, at the La Defense Arena.
Wiffen’s victories also include two golds, one each in 800 and 1,500 categories, that he secured at the world championships in Doha the previous February.