Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen takes 800m freestyle Olympic gold in Irish first

PARIS - Daniel Wiffen became the first Irishman to win an Olympic swimming medal when he struck gold with a thrilling 800 metres freestyle victory at the Paris Games on July 30.

With his twin brother watching in the crowd, the 23-year-old world champion touched out in an Olympic record time of seven minutes 38.19 seconds to secure Ireland's first gold of the Games.

Reigning Olympic champion Bobby Finke of the United States took the silver, 0.56 behind, and Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri the bronze.

The only other Irish swimmer to win an Olympic swimming title was women's triple champion Michelle Smith in 1996, and Wiffen was also Northern Ireland's first gold medallist in 36 years.

Elijah Winnington led for the first 350 metres, with Wiffen easing into second place only at 250, but the Australian faded and the battle between the top three took off.

Wiffen led at the halfway point with Finke second but Paltrinieri took the lead at 650 and stayed there until the final 50.

The Irishman, who had appeared to be spent, then turned on the afterburners and blasted down the final length to touch the wall first.

He turned around in triumph, putting his hands to his head before raising his fists to salute the crowd -- with a vocal Irish contingent -- at the La Defense Arena.

Wiffen won 800 and 1,500 gold at the world championships in Doha in February. REUTERS