Ireland bag GOLD in Paris as Daniel Wiffen storms to Olympic record and utters humble four-word statement about win

Ireland has picked up its first Olympic gold medal in Paris , with Daniel Wiffen breaking a record in the process in the Men's 800m Freestyle.

Wiffen looked as though he was going to have to settle for silver or bronze, and it looked like Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri was going to take home the gold, but the Irishman's final 100m was something special. Wiffen's time was the fastest in Olympic history.

"I can't believe it", Wiffen said after the race. The Irishman almost seemed as though he was expecting the win, but the record-breaking time seemed to take him by surprise.

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What is even more impressive is that Wiffen could even add more medals to his tally in the days to come as he competes in the 1500m freestyle and 10km open water. The 7:39.19 he set when finishing fourth in last year’s World Championships in Fukuoka stands as a European record.

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The Team Ireland swimmer was born in London but moved to Co Armagh at age two. Magheralin is on the border of Armagh and Down, and while both counties may claim him, he is happy to add Armagh's All-Ireland final triumph on Sunday as more fuel for his bid for Olympic medals in the coming days.

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