23-year-old Wiffen makes history with Olympic 800m freestyle gold

23-year-old Wiffen makes history with Olympic 800m freestyle gold
Photo:SuperSport

23-year-old Daniel Wiffen became the first athlete from Northern Ireland to win an Olympic gold medal in 36 years as he triumphed in a thrilling 800-metre freestyle final in Paris.

Wiffen edged out American Bobby Finke to take gold by 0.56 seconds after a stunning burst of pace over the final 50 metres.

The 23-year-old also set an Olympic record with his blistering finish, recording a time of 7 minutes 38.19 seconds.

Cheers erupted around the La Defense Arena as Wiffen secured the first gold medal of the Games for Ireland.

There were tears in Wiffen's eyes as he received his gold medal, and his family and coaches watched with pride.

After stepping off the podium, he ran over and jumped into the arms of his family - including his twin, Nathan.

He becomes the first athlete from Northern Ireland to triumph since Stephen Martin and Jimmy Kirkwood with GB's hockey team in 1988 - and the first individual gold medallist since Lady Mary Peters won the pentathlon at the 1972 Games.

He also becomes the first Olympian from Northern Ireland to win Olympic gold for Ireland and the first Olympian from Team Ireland to win a gold medal in swimming since 1996.

China leads the medal tally with 9 gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze, host France is in second place with 8 gold, 10 silver and 8 bronze, Japan is third with 8 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze while Australia is fourth with 7 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze.

Source: BBC

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
Scoreboard
9:50pm
Rabbitohs vs Knights
6:05pm
Warriors vs Dolphins
9:50pm
Sharks vs Cowboys
3:00 pm
Suva vs Lautoka
3:00 pm
Nadroga vs Malolo
3:00 pm
Kadavu vs Tailevu
11:00AM
Suva vs Lautoka
11:00AM
Nadroga vs Namosi
11:00AM
Naitasiri vs Nasinu
2:00pm
Suva vs Ba
4:30pm
Nasinu vs Rewa
2:00am
Liverpool vs Fullham
2:00am
Palace vs Ipswich Town
2:00am
Bournemouth vs Brentford
7:00PM
Fiji vs Canada
10:05 PM
Japan vs USA