World champion Daniel Wiffen claimed 800-metres freestyle gold at the Paris Games to give Ireland’s men a first ever Olympic swimming medal. His fastest time of 7 minutes 38.19 seconds set a new Olympic record. Wiffen was ahead for almost the entire race, but lost his lead for a few seconds in the final 100m. After a tight battle, he finished 0.56 ahead of Tokyo 2020 champion Bobby Finke of the United States, who this time had to settle for silver. Gregorio Paltrinieri of Italy took bronze, after he claimed silver in Tokyo.