Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen has emerged as a formidable contender in the 800m freestyle, setting the fastest time in the heats and setting his sights on making history in Tuesday’s final. Wiffen has the potential to become the first Irishman and only the second Irish athlete ever to claim Olympic swimming gold.
His hopes were boosted when Sam Short of Australia, considered a favorite by some, failed to qualify. Wiffen topped qualifying in 7:41.53, ahead of Tunisia’s Ahmed Jaouadi. However, he faces a formidable field in the final, including defending Olympic champion Bobby Finke of the United States, in-form Australian Elijah Winnington, and experienced Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri, Tokyo silver medalist.
Wiffen remains focused and determined, stating, “Any lane has a chance. I’ll be looking at everybody, doing my homework tonight, and making sure I’ll be one of the best there tomorrow night.”
Michelle Smith’s three golds and a bronze from the Atlanta Games in 1996 remain Ireland’s only Olympic medals in swimming. Wiffen, born in Yorkshire, England, moved to County Down in Northern Ireland at the age of two. Despite his English birthplace, he is determined to represent Ireland and make history.
“Any medal’s good,” Wiffen said. “It’s my first race here, and it’s my first time actually being in contention for an Olympic medal, so I’ll take any medal, whatever color.”
Wiffen is in his second Olympics, having entered the 800 and 1500-meter races in Tokyo. However, he has made significant progress since then, dropping 16 seconds in the 1500m and setting personal bests in every international competition.
The heats, held in the morning, have drawn impressive crowds, and Wiffen acknowledges the impact of the crowd’s support. “I very rarely hear the crowd when I’m swimming, but this one I can hear 100 percent. There’s a lot of Irish support, I saw a lot of tricolors in the stands, so pretty happy,” he said.
Wiffen is making the most of these Games, planning to race in the 10km open water race in the River Seine in addition to the two races at the La Defense Arena. Despite the heavy workload, he is confident in his fitness, describing himself as “100 percent.”
“Never been in this shape before in my life,” he said.
