Ireland's Olympic hopefuls for Paris 2024

The last time the Olympics were held in Paris was the first time that Ireland competed as a nation at the Games.

Back in 1924, the team of 48 athletes were unable to bring home the bacon, however, Ireland did win two medals in the categories of painting and literature.

Jack B Yeats' Liffey Swim secured silver, while Oliver St John Gogarty’s Ode to the Tailteann Games was awarded the bronze medal.

At the most recent edition, Tokyo 2020 – which took place in 2021 due to Covid – Ireland won four medals, two gold and two bronze, in boxing and rowing.

But looking ahead to next summer, there is every chance that there will be more than four medals winging their way home to these shores following the closing ceremony at the Stade de France on 11 August.

So here’s a look at some of the sports that are in contention to produce Olympic medal winners at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

SWIMMING

Man of the moment, Daniel Wiffen, is heading into the Olympic year as three-time European gold medallist, and a world record holder following a remarkable week at the recent short course championships in Romania.

Still only 22 years old, the County Down man is going to his second Olympics, having already swam on the biggest stage, making his debut at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

Ranging from 400m to 1500m, and securing gold as well in the 800m – which also doubled up as his world record race – Wiffen clearly has both the speed and the stamina to make the finals in Paris.

Transferring his short course form to the longer 50m pool for the Games should prove interesting viewing this summer, and while he continues to work towards Paris from his base at Loughborough University, there is every possibility that he will continue to improve over the next six months.

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