In pictures: Ireland's Daniel Wiffen wins Olympic gold in 800m freestyle

There were tears of joy on the swimming podium last night, as Daniel Wiffen became the first Irish man to win a medal in the pool.

He set a new Olympic record to win gold in the men’s 800-metre freestyle.

That was just Ireland’s 12th ever Olympic gold medal.

Wiffen said: “I don’t think a lot of people actually believed me that I was going to do it tonight but yeah it was incredible. I’ve done it – that’s all I want to say!

“I was so nervous, that’s the most nervous I’ve ever been for a race but do you know what calmed me down – I heard by brother shout for me as soon as I walked out. I heard none of the crowd – just him, and that’s what calmed me down, and really levelled my head.”

“I’m not going to lie, there’s this whole saying going around that I’m getting ‘Finked’ – I’m glad to say I haven’t been ‘Finked” so obviously pretty happy to get my hand on the wall first.”

Here are some of the best pictures from Wiffen's historic gold medal win: