Wiffen 'had eyes on Olympic record' in 800m heats

World champion Daniel Wiffen says he had his eyes on an Olympic record as he qualified for the men's 800m freestyle finals in first place.

The Team Ireland swimmer, who won world 800m and 1500m freestyle gold in February, stated before the Games that he would not be leaving Paris without a medal.

He put down an ominous marker in the 800m heats on Monday morning as he set the fastest time, and he will go into the final on Tuesday night as favourite.

"I was happy with my time, but I had my eyes on the Olympic record," the 23-year-old said.

"But it's only the heats, so it doesn't really matter."

Wiffen's time of 7:41.53 was just outside the Olympic record of 7:41.28, which was set by Mykhailo Romanchuk of Ukraine.

The 23-year-old admitted he was "very nervous" ahead of his heat in a packed La Defense Arena as he embarked on his second Games.

"I was more nervous than when I walked out for the World Championship final, I think it's just the crowd size and knowing that I have a lot of support in the crowd."

Wiffen added there was "no expectation at all" as he looks to become the first athlete from Northern Ireland to win Olympic gold since Stephen Martin and Jimmy Kirkwood in 1988, who triumphed with Team GB's hockey team in Soeul.

"I'm looking forward to it, 100%," Wiffen said ahead of Tuesday's final.

"I've got to try and calm down a bit now. I've a long time until the final where I have to get my recovery right.

"I'm just going to go into the final with an open head and try to get on the podium."

It was a successful morning at the La Defense Arena for Ireland with both Danielle Hill and Ellen Walshe also progressing.

Walshe will race in the final of the 400m individual medley on Monday night, while Hill will attempt to reach the 100m backstroke final.

There could also be a first Olympic medal of the Games for Ireland in the pool with Mona McSharry competing in the 100m breaststroke final.

After a breakthrough swim, Hill, from Northern Ireland, said "she could not be happier" with her performance.

"This is bigger than just me. There is a team at home, my family and coach are in the crowd. It's fairtytale stuff," said Hill, who added it was a "nervy swim" with the vocal French atmosphere.

"The crowd just wouldn't go silent. That's something I've never experienced before.

"It's a learning process I can take through to tonight and my personal best would put me sixth.

"I think I'm mentally strong enough to reset and go again tonight."

Before the Games, the 23-year-old opened up about her mental health journey and said she was "ready to walk away from the sport".

"I was struggling at the start of the year. Struggling got motivation and how I could compete with these girls.

"I had to take some time away and you know the saying, you don't know what you've got until it's gone, and that was exactly it.

"I've got back in the water this season with a focus on trying to enjoy the moment. It's day by day, rather than focusing on these big events."