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Daniel Wiffen has become the first athlete from Northern Ireland to win an Olympic gold medal in 36 years in a thrilling 800m freestyle final in Paris.<\/b><\/p>\n
The Team Ireland swimmer edged the USA’s Bobby Finke to take gold after a stunning burst of pace over the final 50 metres. <\/p>\n
The 23-year-old also set an Olympic record with his blistering finish as he recorded a time of 7:38.19.<\/p>\n
The pockets of support for Wiffen erupted around the La Defense Arena as he secured a first gold medal of the Games for Ireland.<\/p>\n
With his gold medal, he becomes the first athlete from Northern Ireland to triumph since Stephen Martin and Jimmy Kirkwood with GB’s hockey team in 1988. <\/p>\n
It is also the first individual gold medal since Lady Mary Peters won the pentathlon at the 1972 Games in Munich.<\/p>\n
After setting the fastest time in the heats on Monday, where he said he had one eye on an Olympic record, he duly delivered in spectacular fashion.<\/p>\n
Wiffen has now added Olympic gold to his 800m and 1500m triumphs at the World Championships in Doha.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n