Olympic Champion
Daniel Wiffen
Olympic Champion
ABOUT DANIEL
Born in Leeds, raised in Magheralin, County Armagh - Daniel Wiffen is Ireland's most decorated swimmer and the reigning Olympic gold medallist in the 800m freestyle.
📍 Magheralin, County Armagh
🎂 Born 14 July 2001
🎓 Loughborough University
👥 Wiffen Twins
BIOGRAPHY
Daniel Wiffen grew up in Magheralin, County Down alongside his twin brother Nathan. Both brothers took up competitive swimming from a young age, and Daniel quickly showed an exceptional aptitude for distance events - the 400m, 800m, and 1500m freestyle.
After graduating through Irish age-group swimming, Daniel moved to Loughborough University, where he trained under world-class coaching and broke multiple BUCS records. His leap to international prominence came in 2023, when he ranked among the fastest in the world at every distance freestyle event. That same year he broke the 800m short course world record at the European Championships in Otopeni.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Daniel won gold in the 800m freestyle with an Olympic record of 7:38.19, becoming the first Irish swimmer to win an Olympic gold in a pool event. He was named BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year in December 2024.
CAREER TIMELINE
2019
First international appearances
Begins representing Ireland at junior level, competing in European Junior Championships.
2021
Tokyo Olympic debut
Competes at his first Olympic Games in Tokyo, gaining valuable senior international experience.
2022
Commonwealth Games & European breakthrough
Wins Commonwealth medal and posts multiple Irish records. Establishes himself in the world top 10 in distance freestyle.
2023
World champion & 800m world record
Wins two world titles in Fukuoka. In December, breaks the 800m SC world record (7:20.46) at the European Short Course Championships in Otopeni. Ranked No. 1 in the world in 400m, 800m and 1500m SC.
2024
Olympic gold, Paris 2024
Wins gold in the 800m freestyle with an Olympic record of 7:38.19 — the first Irish swimmer to win Olympic gold in a pool event. Also wins bronze in the 1500m. Named BBC NI Sports Personality of the Year.
2025
Continued elite competition
Defends titles across international circuit, continues partnership with Red Bull, Fiat, Deloitte and deboer.
ACHIEVEMENTS
OLYMPIC
GOLD
1
OLYMPIC
BRONZE
1
WORLD
CHAMPION
2
EUROPEAN
CHAMPION
4
INT. MEDAL
TOTAL
18
RECORDS HELD
WORLD RECORD
800m freestyle (SC)
7:20.46 — Dec 2023
OLYMPIC RECORD
800m freestyle
7:38.19 — Paris 2024
EUROPEAN RECORD
800m freestyle (LC)
7:39.19 — 2023
OUTSIDE THE POOL
Regular contributor to swimming media, featured across RTÉ, BBC Sport and international press.
Media & Speaking
Daniel and twin brother Nathan share a YouTube channel documenting life as elite swimmers.
Wiffen Twins
Daniel appeared as an extra in Game of Thrones, filmed near his home in Northern Ireland.
Acting
Runs the Wiffen Swim Clinics to share technique and training knowledge with aspiring swimmers.
Swim Clinics