2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
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We saw the final of the men’s 800m freestyle unfold tonight at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France and the top contenders brought us a race to remember.
In a fight to the finish, it was Daniel Wiffen of Ireland who ultimately touched first, clocking 7:38.19 to beat American Bobby Finke by just over half a second en route to topping the podium.
Finke settled for silver in 7:38.75 while Italian veteran Gregorio Paltrinieri captured the bronze in 7:39.38.
Wiffen was one of the favorites entering this final, owning the European Record with his mark of 7:39.19 established at the 2023 World Championships.
But Finke has proven a formidable competitor, having won this event 3 years ago at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Wiffen’s time of 7:38.19 hacked exactly a second off his former European Record but also produced a new Olympic Record, easily overtaking the 7:41.28 Ukrainian Mykhailo Romanchuk put on the books in Tokyo.
With this gold medal, Wiffen became the first Irish Olympic champion in a swimming event in history.
Additionally, the Loughborough-trained Wiffen represents the first Northern Ireland athlete to top the Olympic podium across all sports since Stephen Martin and Jimmy Kirkwood accomplished the feat as a member of Great Britain’s hockey team in 1988.
He is the first individual Irish gold medal winner since Mary Peters won the pentathlon at the 1972 Games in Munich.
- Daniel Wiffen (IRE) – 7:38.19 ***NEW OLYMPIC RECORD***
- Bobby Finke (USA) – 7:38.75
- Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA) – 7:39.38
- Ahmed Jaouadi (TUN) – 7:42.83
- Sven Schwarz (GER)/David Aubry (FRA) – 7:43.59
- Luca de Tullio (ITA) – 7:46.16
- Elijah Winnington (AUS) – 7:48.36
Before you all start wetting the bed there is nothing wrong with the article or the headline.
It clearly states Dan is representing Ireland and is FROM Northern Ireland, both of which are true.
This is why I always tell people to avoid this sort of conversation when they visit as it only leads to a lot of aggro.
Signed
Someone from Northern Ireland
Daniel Wiffen represents Ireland, the ignorance in these kind of stories is phenomenal.
Oh please change the headline. Northern Ireland does not have a team, they are part of team GB.
Wiffen represents Ireland.
Nothing wrong with the headline. It’s like saying Mark Cavendish is from Isle of Man or Duncan Scott is from Scotland.
Also, with Jack McMillan’s Gold (due to his heat swim in GB’s 4×2 this morning) Northern Ireland have 2 Golds tonight!
Wiffen and Finke both beat Ian Thorpe’s time from Fukuoka 2001.
Without that, his times from 23 years ago would have been good for three golds here. As it is he’s still get 2 golds and a bronze.
Dame Mary Peters
Daniel Wiffen
“Northern Ireland” in the title is unreal.
So I’m just reading his wiki, he was born in Leeds, England,UK 🏴🇬🇧, moved to and grew up in Northern Ireland, UK🇬🇧 , but represents republic of Ireland for swimming.
Interesting
People from NI can choose their citizenship because of the republican/loyalist split. Rory Mcilroy represents Ireland in the Olympics too, although he’s from
NI.
Wiffen might object to the use of Northern Ireland in the title, most republicans refer to the North of Ireland
Wiffen is very happy to represent Northern Ireland and their flag at the Commonwealth Games.
There is nothing wrong with the headline.