Daniel Wiffen with his Olympic medals. Picture: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
Irish Olympic gold medalist Daniel Wiffen has announced his departure from the prestigious Loughborough University swim programme, bringing to a close a transformative five-year chapter that saw him rise to become one of the sport’s biggest names.
The Armagh swimmer, 24, took to social media to confirm his decision, reflecting on the journey that shaped his career and turned him into a champion.
“The day has finally come – I have decided that I am moving away from the Loughborough University swim programme. A place I called home for five years. A place where I grew from a swimmer that would never make it, to an Olympic champion,” he wrote.
Wiffen joined Loughborough with personal bests of 8:13 in the 800m freestyle and 15:39 in the 1500m. He departs as the fastest European in history over both events, having lowered his times to a staggering 7:38 and 14:34, performances that saw him crowned double European champion and earn gold in both distances at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships.
His crowning moment came later that year at the Paris Olympics, where he captured gold for Ireland in the men’s 800m freestyle and bronze over 1500m, firmly establishing himself among the elite of global distance swimming.
He paid special tribute to coach Andi Manley, who oversaw his dramatic development.
“He is the reason I worked hard every day to achieve my goals,” Wiffen added. “I’d like to thank Mikey P for his continued help across the years from when I was 13 in Lisburn to now where I’m 24 and in the height of my career.
“Thank you to Felix and Will my long term training partners and best friends, the only men to last my time in Loughborough and challenge me along the way. I’d also like to thank anyone that has had a part in my journey from training partners to staff you all made a difference.”
Wiffen also revealed he will now return home to Magheralin to recover from the appendicitis issues that impacted his recent failed bid to retain his World Championship titles.
Looking ahead, he plans to spend time training in the United States alongside his twin brother Nathan, who is currently studying and swimming at the University of California, Berkeley.
“Now this chapter has come to a close I will be moving back to Ireland while I rehab from my appendicitis surgery and then will be hopefully joining Nathan in California for periods until LA28. Thank you Loughborough,” his statement concluded.