World-record holder Daniel Wiffen determined to keep focus ahead of big 2024

Daniel Wiffen has said he will not lose focus on a massive 2024 after creating history for Irish swimming with a world record in the 800m freestyle at the European Short Course Swimming Championships.

The 22-year-old completed a memorable championships with a third gold medal and a first-ever world best time for an Irish swimmer.

Wiffen told RTÉ Radio 1 this morning that he will be back in the pool training tonight ahead of the World Championships in February and the Olympic Games in Paris next July.

Speaking on Today with Claire Byrne, he said: "I'm just going to go back to training with the same mindset as before. It's definitely a possibility (to win an Olympic medal) and I'm training for it. I guess we have to see what happens on the day.

"I'll train tonight and carry on as before I swam at the competition.

"I did think I was going to go fast yesterday. Putting it in your head is one thing, putting it on paper is a lot different. It was amazing.

"I always say I love training more than racing and I think that is what the secret is to swimming fast. I love turning up to training at 5am.

"I have always dreamt of breaking a world record and I've done it. I'd say long course swimming has more prestige to it so I guess that is the next goal, to shift the world record we just did from the short course pool to the long course pool, and see what we can do."

Grant Hackett's 15-year-old record was broken by close to three seconds and Wiffen revealed he quickly received a message from the Australian great to congratulate him on the feat.

"He is obviously one of my idols and one of the greatest swimmers ever. To take down the last record of his on the books and for it to be the oldest world record standing is amazing. Three seconds off