Wiffen 'can win Olympic medal' after world golds

Daniel Wiffen is capable of winning medals at this summer's Paris Olympics, according to Swim Ireland National Performance Director Jon Rudd.

The Irish swimmer collected his second gold medal at the World Aquatic Championships in Doha on Sunday by winning the 1500m freestyle final.

The 22-year-old had won Ireland's first gold medal in the 800m freestyle event.

"For sure he can. He has all the tools. Whether he will is a different matter," said Rudd of Olympic medal hopes.

"There were some high quality athletes missing at this world championships and there were a couple that underperformed, but he [Wiffen] is of the calibre and we will all work together to try and get him over the line."

The County Armagh swimmer produced a dominant performance to leave a world-class field in his wake in winning the 1500m freestyle by 10.54 seconds from Germany's Florian Wellbrock in a time of 14:34.07.

Wiffen was subsequently named as the Swimmer of the Meet.

"We thought it was a big achievement when he won gold in the 800 freestyle but to double up and win the 1500 as well, which so few people have ever done, it's fantastic," explained Rudd on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme.

"The guy is capable of swimming in different ways to command the race and take control. At 22 years of age that's a great quality to have.

"It's great for him to do what he has done but Paris is the goal, it has always been the goal. As far as 2024 is concerned, it's nowhere near job done.

"He's got a good head on his shoulders so he recognises he can't let this run away with him with Paris only a few months away. He takes it in his stride and doesn't let things faze him."

Rudd believes Wiffen's achievements in the pool can provide inspiration for other Irish swimmers.

"A world championship gold medal is special for any nation. Two gold medals from the same athlete in the same week is extremely special.

"He's setting a whole new standard of what can be achieved by Irish swimmers now, but also for the future.

"It will be a little time before he realises the significance of his achievement and what he's doing for the sport, what he's doing for the inspiration of young people, the next generation.

"People are going to be talking about this for decades and it's great just to be part of it.

"He is confident, immensely strong and resilient. He has an incredible amount of self-belief but that doesn't translate into arrogance or conceit at all."