Daniel Wiffen won two golds at the World Championships and became Olympic champion in a successful 2024

Wiffen Winning Addiction: Why Back-to-Back World Titles Would Outshine Olympic Gold

Olympic champion Daniel Wiffen eyes World Championships glory in Singapore after historic 2024

For many athletes, Olympic gold is the pinnacle. The crowning jewel. The dream chased across a lifetime. But for Daniel Wiffen, Ireland’s golden boy of the pool, there’s something even bigger than that on his mind: consistency, domination — and a legacy that lasts longer than a single summer in Paris.

Fresh off a spectacular year in 2024, where he stood atop the Olympic podium in the 800m freestyle and added a World Championship double in both the 800m and 1500m, the 23-year-old from Northern Ireland is not finished yet. In fact, he’s only just getting started.

“Back-to-back World titles would top the Olympics for me”

Daniel Wiffen: ‘Back-to-back world titles would top Olympic gold’

In a refreshingly honest chat with BBC Sport NI, Wiffen didn’t hesitate when asked what drives him now, post-Paris. “Everyone says the hardest thing to do is to win a World Championships after an Olympics, and I’m up for the challenge,” he said. “I think winning back-to-back World Championships is going to be better than winning the Olympics for me.”

That might sound surprising coming from a man who just became the first Northern Irish athlete in 36 years to win Olympic gold. But for Wiffen, the value of greatness lies in doing it again and again, not just once.

“If you can win consecutively over the next number of years,” he added, “then it becomes bigger than just winning an Olympics. It becomes about how many times can you win before you lose?”

It’s a mindset that separates good from great. And Wiffen has his sights set firmly on the latter.

A golden summer, and a hunger for more

Wiffen’s 800m victory in Paris was one of the most iconic moments in Irish sporting history — a race that catapulted him into global recognition. Not long after, he added bronze in the 1500m, further cementing his place among swimming’s elite.

But his year didn’t start in Paris. It began with a statement at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships, where Wiffen completed an eye-catching double in the 800m and 1500m freestyle — a rare feat that underlined his dominance in long-distance swimming.

Now, as he prepares for the World Championships in Singapore (11 July – 3 August), he wants to take it all one step further.

“You start thinking, ‘What happens if I do keep winning?’ Or, ‘What happens if I lose?’ You use that fear to fuel your focus,” Wiffen said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Olympic gold, but the journey continues

For most athletes, Olympic success is a satisfying conclusion. But Wiffen sees it as a stepping stone. His ambitions are no longer just about medals — they’re about longevity, excellence, and creating something that lasts.

“I’m trying to go bigger and bigger,” he said. “You’re bringing in the curiosity. You want to keep seeing what happens next. That’s what drives me now.”

Farewell Loughborough, hello Dublin – and California

Another turning point looms for Wiffen once the Singapore Worlds wrap up. He’s leaving his long-time training base at Loughborough University, a place that helped transform him into a global force. It also marks the end of his successful partnership with coach Andi Manley — a relationship that brought gold, podiums, and personal growth.

So, what’s next? For now, Wiffen says he doesn’t know who his next coach will be. But he’s making a move — geographically and symbolically — that brings him closer to home and family.

He’ll split his time between Dublin and California, where his twin brother Nathan Wiffen will soon begin a collegiate career at the University of California. The shift is all part of a bigger vision: building towards Los Angeles 2028.

The 400m challenge – “a warm-up, but not a throwaway”

There’s also a new event on the horizon: the 400m freestyle. Wiffen last swam it competitively in Doha, finishing seventh — an uncharacteristic result that clearly didn’t sit well.

“That sparked something in me,” he admitted. “I don’t want seventh place. I want to win.”

Now, he’s bringing it back into his schedule for Singapore. And while he views it as a warm-up for his signature 800m and 1500m events, don’t mistake that for a lack of ambition.

“This might sound weird,” he said, “but I try and treat the 400m as a warm-up. Even though I want a medal in it, we’re talking about getting that swim out of the way before the 800m. Still, I’m giving it credit. I’m trying to win a medal.”

It’s another example of Wiffen’s no-nonsense approach: he’s not just showing up to swim. He’s showing up to compete.

What’s next for Wiffen — and for Irish swimming?

Wiffen’s continued success is more than just personal triumph. It’s a beacon for Irish swimming — a sport that has long been on the fringes of international success. Now, with a bona fide star leading the way, there’s real momentum.

And while Wiffen is clearly eyeing more than just Tokyo or Paris — he’s thinking LA, global dominance, and record-setting runs — the sport back home is already reaping the benefits of his journey.

From the pools of Bangor, Dublin, and Belfast to the biggest stages in world sport, Daniel Wiffen’s rise is about more than medals. It’s about movement. Inspiration. And redefining what’s possible.