Wiffen third in 1500m final for second Olympic medal

Daniel Wiffen has earned his second medal of the Paris Olympics after finishing in third place in the 1500m freestyle final, which was won by the USA's Bobby Finke.

Finke set a world record of 14:30.67 after a stunning performance, while Wiffen was third (14:39.63) behind Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri (14:34.55).

The La Defense Arena erupted as Finke finished the race in record time, surpassing Chinese swimmer Yang Sun's time of 14:31.02 at the 2012 Games in London.

Representing Team Ireland, Wiffen's bronze is his second medal of the Games after he won a thrilling 800m freestyle on Tuesday.

In doing so, he became the first athlete from Northern Ireland to win an Olympic gold medal in 36 years.

The 23-year-old is also the first Team Ireland athlete to win more than one medal in the same Games in 28 years.

Ireland now have six medals in Paris, equalling their best ever haul, surpassing the six medals won in London 2012.

It is the latest achievement in a breakout year for Wiffen, who has now added Olympic gold and bronze to his two World Championship golds in the 800m and 1500m freestyle in Doha in February.

Despite a second medal of the Games, Wiffen admitted he had "a lot higher aspirations" for the 1500 metre final.

"To be honest the 800m surprised me at the start of the week," he told BBC Sport.

"Coming into this race I was ready. I completely was in the right shape to go a lot faster than the world record but that's just swimming some days you have it, some days you don't.

"If you'd tell me I'd get a bronze medal at the start of the week, I'd be over the moon, now I'm coming away with gold and a bronze. It's kind of special."

After a cool and calm entrance into the arena, which had already reached fever-pitch with two French swimmers also in the final, Wiffen settled into the race in fourth position as Finke looked to break away from the rest of the field.

After qualifying for the final third fastest, some five seconds behind Wiffen’s quickest time of 14:40.34, the 24-year-old American turned the script on its head on Sunday’s final.

Paltrinieri was the first swimmer to try and go with Finke, as Wiffen swam his own race in third. He looked to try and catch up with the leading pair at the midpoint of the race, but he was unable to live with the pace Finke and had to settle for a comfortable third.

"To be honest, sometimes after a great 800m, it's not a great 1500," Wiffen added.

"Both those times in the 800m and 1500m were very good. That was my fourth fastest time ever [in the 1500m] so I'm still pleased with it.

"We'll come better next season and go under that WR [World record]."