Ireland reacts to Daniel Wiffen's 800m gold medal

Daniel Wiffen scored a gold medal in the final of the men’s 800m freestyle on Tuesday evening, triumphing in a time of 7:38.19.

The swimmer set a a new national record and European record by a full second. He also set a new Olympic record, knocking over the previous one of 7:41.28 set by Ukraine’s Mykhalo Romanchuk in Tokyo 2020.

This marks a second medal in the pool for Ireland at Paris 2024 following Mona McSharry's bronze medal win the previous night.

President Michael D. Higgins was one of the first to react to the news, writing: “Congratulations to Daniel Wiffen for his historic achievement in winning the gold medal in the 800m freestyle in an Olympic record. A wonderful achievement of which he can be so proud.”

Congratulations to Daniel Wiffen for his historic achievement in winning the gold medal in the 800m freestyle in an @Olympics record. A wonderful achievement of which he can be so proud

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) July 30, 2024

Taoiseach Simon Harris also released a statement to congratulate this Irish gold medalist: “On behalf of the entire country,” he wrote, “that is hoarse from screaming at their televisions and computer screens, I would like to send our absolute admiration and congratulations to Daniel Wiffen.

“Daniel you did it, Olympics Gold and an Olympic record.”

On behalf of the entire country, that is hoarse from screaming at their televisions and computer screens, I would like to send our absolute admiration and congratulations to Daniel Wiffen.

Daniel you did it, Olympics Gold and an Olympic record.

My statement below: pic.twitter.com/68T14RrsSn

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 30, 2024

“What a performance,” Mary Lou McDonald said. “What a moment. One that will live long in the memory. Big congratulations, Daniel. The whole of Ireland is cheering for you.”

🇮🇪🟡 Gold for Daniel Wiffen! Gold for Ireland!

Wow! Just wow!

What a performance. What a moment.

One that will live long in the memory.

Big congratulations, Daniel. The whole of Ireland is cheering for you. 👏 pic.twitter.com/GpcYftk2BG

— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) July 30, 2024

Journalist Razan Ibrahem also took to social media to call Wiffen “a legend.”

“Thank you for the gold medal,” she continued, “and for raising Ireland’s name and flag in the sky.”

Daniel Wiffen is a legend! 🇮🇪 Thank you for the gold medal and for raising Ireland’s name and flag in the sky. 🌟 #IrishPride #Champion@TeamIreland #OlympicGames   #Olympics pic.twitter.com/hJBVSTXh5f

— Razan Ibraheem (رزان) (@RazanIRL) July 30, 2024

See more tributes to Daniel Wiffen below:

Huge congrats to Daniel Wiffen and his team for winning Olympic gold tonight in an Olympic record time.
Daniel and his identical twin brother/training partner Nathan have come a long way since acting as extras in the Game of Thrones.🥇🏊
#TeamIreland #Paris2024
Credit: Wiffen… pic.twitter.com/rxivhAa4ql

— Rob Cross (@RobCross247) July 30, 2024

🥇 An historic day at the Olympics for local athletes, as Daniel Wiffen from Armagh and Jack McMillan from Belfast both win gold medals in swimming 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/ueRflkO8QR

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) July 30, 2024

Daniel Wiffen Gold Medalist 🥇

Put all the pressure on himself and backed up the talk.

What a moment for Irish Swimming.

What a moment for Irish Sport.

What a moment for Ireland.

pic.twitter.com/qUkrt0qqKj

— Daniel Hussey (@DanielHussey2) July 30, 2024

Congratulations to Daniel Wiffen from Armagh who has secured Ireland's second medal at the Paris Olympics, clinching the country's first gold medal at the #OlympicGames in Paris and filling us all with pride! #Ireland ☘️🇮🇪#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/sbNiXSHQv7

— Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri (@DrUmarAlQadri) July 30, 2024