Devastation as Irish gold medallist misses out on Olympics Closing Ceremony for heartbreaking reason

Devastation as hit one Irish gold medallist who has missed out on the Olympics Closing Ceremony. Team Ireland has had a record-breaking Olympic Games, bagging seven medals , including four golds.

After a whirlwind 17 days at the Paris games, the world will bid adieu to the event for another four years at the Closing Ceremony which is currently taking place at the Stade de France . Festivities kicked off at 3pm EST.

Fintan McCarthy and Mona McSharry, who both won medals at these games , were chosen as Ireland's flagbearers for the closing ceremony. Other flagbearers include France's Antoine Dupont and Team USA's Katie Ledecky.

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Heartbreakingly, Olympic champion Daniel Wiffen was initially named as a flagbearer alongside McSharry but had to pull out due to illness. Daniel Wiffen won a gold medal and broke an Olympic record in the Men's 800m Freestyle.

The Team Ireland swimmer was born in London but moved to Co Armagh aged two. Wiffen said he "couldn't believe it" after the race. It seemed like he expected the win, but the mammoth time seemed to take him by surprise.

The Closing Ceremony will feature traditional elements such as the athlete parade , thanking of volunteers, medal ceremony for the women's marathon, the extinguishing of the Olympic Flame and proclamation of the end of the Games, and the traditional handover of the Olympic Flag from the Mayor of Paris to the Mayor of Los Angeles .

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Pre-recorded performances from Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers are expected as part of the LA handover. There are also strong rumours that Tom Cruise will perform an abseil stunt during the ceremony.

In Wiffen's absence, back-to-back Olympic champion McCarthy was drafted in as a late replacement. The 27-year-old had already jetted back to Ireland after his victory, and traveled home to Co Cork in "the most Irish way" .

Team Ireland, including athletes Wiffen and McSharry , will bid farewell to a successful Games. Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne says Ireland should begin preparations to host the 2072 Summer Olympics .

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Mr Byrne said given the joy and pride our Olympians have brought to the island recently, the country should dedicate itself to making sure the country has top quality facilities for them and future athletes in all disciplines.

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