'I'm not coming away from Paris without a medal'

Daniel Wiffen is aiming to become the first man to win an Olympic swimming medal for Ireland

"To win an Olympic gold would mean the world. It's the biggest thing I'll ever accomplish in my career...possibly."

If you want a snippet into the mindset of Ireland swimmer Daniel Wiffen, that should be a good introduction.

Wiffen, who just turned 23, is in the form of his life ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris.

He became double world champion in Doha in February in the 800m and 1500m freestyle, the latest impressive accomplishment in Wiffen's burgeoning career.

After making his Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2021, his big breakthrough came at the Commonwealth Games 12 months later when he won a silver medal in the 1500m.

A gold and two silvers followed at the Under-23 European championships in 2023, and better was to come at the European Short Course Championships with 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle gold.

He also broke the world record for the 800m, which only adds to Wiffen's list of honours.

And now in the French capital, Wiffen is turning that ambition into reality after qualifying fastest for the 800m freestyle final.

To hear that Wiffen was targeting an Olympic medal ahead of the Games is no surprise - and it came with expectation rather than hope.

The water had barely dried off his body after his World Championship double before he declared his intent to repeat his feat in Paris.

In fact, he has already planned a celebration in the pool with twin Nathan - something that he is keeping under wraps for the big occasion.

"That's right, that's correct. I'm not coming away without a medal," he declared.

"If I didn't come away with a medal I would be very disappointed. Going in with the times that I've produced, with my PBs (personal bests), they would just put me on the podium if I can replicate them.

"I've done it time and time again so we'll just keep doing what we are doing."

Daniel Wiffen won two gold medals at the World Championships in Doha in February

Despite heading to Paris as reigning world champion, a relaxed Wiffen doesn't feel like the weight of his medals from Doha will slow him down.

"I don't think it adds more pressure, it just adds more experience," he said.

"It makes it a lot easier going into this Olympics because I'm going in with the backing that I've already performed really well this year.

"The World Championships adds to the feeling that I am actually quite good."

Wiffen, a student at Loughborough University, has been progressing at a rapid rate that has witnessed him go from outsider to genuine medal contender in the space of a few short years.

Despite it being the Olympic games, he is treating it as "just another competition".

"I keep progressing at these major competitions. There hasn't been a major competition where I've not PB'd..

"So it's cool to say and it really gives me a lot of confidence going into these Olympics."

Wiffen says he has a "dream team" that consists of his coach Andi Madley and twin brother Nathan, who is also a swimmer but missed out on qualification for the Games.

Nathan, however, will be there in Paris to help support his twin and "keep me sane".

In terms of peaking at the right time for the Games, he credits Madley for his routine in and out of the pool.

"I've never heard an Irish swimmer go in and say there are a double world champion going into the Olympics.

"We are doing something right and we are ready to keep it up."

'10km in the River Seine? Let's give it a go'

In a surprise announcement, Wiffen will become the first swimmer from Ireland to compete in the Open Water 10km at the Olympics, which will take place in the River Seine.

It had not been a long-time goal, but when he realised he could be eligible to qualify through, the prospect of swimming alongside the Eiffel Tower was too good to turn down.

"I was like 'okay, let's give it a go'. Why not? Let's try and add another medal.

"We'll see what happens on the day. I've never done it before, so if I came away with a medal it would be unreal."

And then a pause.

The typical Wiffen confidence was briefly interrupted as midway through his answer he began thinking out loud and recognised the task of competing against swimmers who compete in the open water week in, week out.

"Actually, if I came away with a medal in the 10km I think it would be the most surprised I've ever been in my life.

"I don't get surprised easily, so it would be weird."

His focus will be on his exploits in the pool, his traditional habitat, so he admits he will just "rock up on the day and see if I can hold on or not".

"I train with an open water swimmer, one of my training partners is a bronze medallist in the 10km. I know what he does and he gives me some insights.

"He won't give me his tactics as we are competitors at the end of the day, but we'll see what happens on the race day. Maybe I'll be a natural."

Wiffen has his new profile picture planning - with the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, the marathon 10km open water swimming will start from the iconic Pont Alexandre III bridge in the River Seine

That sums Wiffen up. From pain to glory, he is someone who has taken everything in his stride.

He is seen as Ireland's big medal hope, but you wouldn't be able to tell by talking to him and watching him stride around the hotel.

The concerns over the water quality in the River Seine are well documented by now, but again, the laid back Wiffen isn't phased.

The mayor of Paris and French sports minister have both taking a dip to try and allay any fears, but Wiffen said if they are getting in "then it must be great".

"I know I'm going to have a good time in the Seine. Nobody has really swam in it before, so I'll happily be the first.

"I get to swim beside the Eiffel Tower, who has done that before?"

In his head, the only way he won't compete is if it is moved from the Seine - something that doesn't appear to be on the cards.

In fact, he jokes he already he has his next profile picture on social media in mind.

"My real thing for this is to swim in the Seine. It's what I want to do.

"Hopefully the Eiffel Tower in the Seine, with the gold medal [from the pool]. That would be even better [for the profile picture].

"Just to turn up to the pontoon with it on, it would definitely intimidate a lot of people."