Team Ireland’s swimming superstar Daniel Wiffen has won an Olympic bronze medal in the 1500m Freestyle final this evening, to add to the gold he won on Tuesday, winning Team Ireland’s seventh medal of Paris 2024 in the process.
In becoming a double Olympic medallist today twenty-three-year-old Wiffen writes himself into the history books, yet again, by becoming the first Irish man ever to win two Olympic swimming medals. This also marks the first time in the 100-year history of competing at the Games that Ireland has won seven Olympic medals.
Speaking after his second medal ceremony of the week Wiffen said: “Overall I’m very pleased with my week. I felt like I was in the best shape of my life which is kind of crazy to say then that I came third. I thought I was in a great position.
“Me and Greg were level and, 300m out, I see a leg kick about two or three meters ahead. I was like ‘OK, this is gonna be very painful now’ and I was trying to dig deep, trying to push it on, and then to be honest I just blew up because it was just It was kind of probably a bit too much today, but you learn from these races. I’m gonna take it under my belt and I’m happy I didn’t come fourth. The bronze medal is great.”
The race was won by reigning Olympic champion Bobby Finke of the USA in a new world and Olympic record time of 14:30.67, with Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri taking silver in 14:34.55, and Wiffen touching for bronze in 14:39.63.
Attention on aquatics moves from Paris La Defence to the brand-new Centre Aquatique, the only sports facility built on a permanent basis for the Games. Irish divers Ciara McGing and Jake Passmore will get their Olympic campaigns underway in the 10m Platform and 3M Springboard respectively.
McGing will get the diving started on Monday, with Passmore taking to the boards on Tuesday, both making their Olympic debuts.
23-year-old McGing was a late qualifier for the Games, only finding out she had a qualification spot at the beginning of July, she most recently made the Final at the European Aquatics Championships in June, placing eighth.
Passmore bypassed those European Championships to concentrate on his preparation for the Games, his qualification coming from a 17th place finish at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha in February. The 19-year-old has also had an opportunity to compete at the Centre Aquatique in May at a test event ahead of the Games.
Results:
Men 1500m Freestyle Final Daniel Wiffen 14:39.63
Monday 5th August Schedule
Women 10m Platform Ciara McGing 9.00
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