In pictures: Ireland's Daniel Wiffen wins Olympic gold in 800m freestyle

James Cox

There were tears of joy on the swimming podium last night, as Daniel Wiffen became the first Irish man to win a medal in the pool.

He set a new Olympic record to win gold in the men’s 800-metre freestyle.

That was just Ireland’s 12th ever Olympic gold medal.

Wiffen said: “I don’t think a lot of people actually believed me that I was going to do it tonight but yeah it was incredible. I’ve done it – that’s all I want to say!

“I was so nervous, that’s the most nervous I’ve ever been for a race but do you know what calmed me down – I heard by brother shout for me as soon as I walked out. I heard none of the crowd – just him, and that’s what calmed me down, and really levelled my head.”

“I’m not going to lie, there’s this whole saying going around that I’m getting ‘Finked’ – I’m glad to say I haven’t been ‘Finked” so obviously pretty happy to get my hand on the wall first.”

Here are some of the best pictures from Wiffen's historic gold medal win: