Daniel Wiffen swam his way to his historic second Olympic medal on Sunday, August 4 in the Men’s 1500m Freestyle event.
Wiffen, who won Ireland's first Gold medal of Paris 2024 last week, swiftly secured Ireland’s seventh Olympic medal this year with a finishing time of 14:39.63 on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Magheralin native came just behind USA's Bobby FInke (14:30.67) and Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri (14:34.55).
Team Ireland proudly noted on Sunday that this is now the first time in its 100-year history of competing at the Games that Ireland has won seven Olympic medals.
In becoming a double Olympic medallist on Sunday, Wiffen, 23, writes himself into the history books, yet again, by becoming the first Irish man ever to win two Olympic swimming medals.
DANIEL WIFFEN! ✨
Bronze medallist in the men’s 1500m freestyle!!! A two time Olympic Medallist 🤯#TeamIreland | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/VgVdiQIYMM
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) August 4, 2024
Wiffen said on Sunday: “I’m happy but a bit disappointed at the same time.
"I’m looking across the week – I can’t be more pleased to be Olympic champion, but the Bronze medal, I know you have to be pleased with any medal but when you hit Gold the first time you’re racing you kind of don’t want less that that but I’m happy.
"We’ve never had a medal at the Olympics before for men so to come away with two - I’m very happy.
On the race itself, Wiffen said: “The way I was looking Greg (Paltrinieri) was kind of blocking Bobby (Finke), so I couldn’t see him and then when I saw him way up ahead I said ‘we’re going to be in a very painful race here’ and I did dig deep to try and push it but I just didn’t have enough today.”
On the history he has made, he said: “To be honest it’s quite emotional; I don’t know what to say.
"I’m just thinking in my head – a Gold and a Bronze, I can’t be more happy and today’s race didn’t go my way but who cares, I’m Olympic champion!”
"Who cares? I'm an Olympic champion."
Mixed feelings for Daniel Wiffen after he added 1500m freestyle bronze to the 800m gold he won earlier this week. #Paris2024
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 4, 2024
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As of Monday morning, Ireland is ranked 14th on the Paris 2024 medal table with three Gold medals and three Bronze medals.
The Gold medal winners so far are Wiffen (Men's 800m Freestyle), Rhys McClenaghan (Men's Pommel Horse), and Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy (Lightweight Men's Double Sculls).
The Bronze medal winners so far are Phillip Doyle and Daire Lynch (Men's Double Sculls), Mona McSharry (Women's 100m Breaststroke), and Wiffen (Men's 1500m Freestyle).
Additionally, Irish boxer Kellie Harrington has booked herself a spot in the Women's 60kg semi-finals, guaranteeing herself at least a Bronze Olympic medal this year.
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