The small village of Magheralin saw big celebrations tonight as its golden boy made a triumphant homecoming.
Sporting the gold and bronze medals he won at the Paris Olympics, Daniel Wiffen was greeted by hundreds of ecstatic fans as he stepped onto home soil in St Patrick’s and St Ronan’s Church.
The 23-year swimmer, who identifies as a Co Armagh man – the village is just inside Co Down – won gold in the Men’s 800m Freestyle, swimming an Olympic record time of 7:38:19.
Daniel Wiffen pictured at Magheralin Parish church at a welcoming home party after the swimmer picked up a gold and a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. (Pic: Stephen Hamilton)
He then took bronze in his preferred event, the Men’s 1500m Freestyle, before concluding his Olympic odyssey by finishing 18th in the Men’s 10km Marathon swim, which took place in the River Seine.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph at the homecoming event, Wiffen revealed his delight at being able to celebrate in his hometown.
“It’s amazing to be home, but I’m actually happier it rained today, I haven’t seen rain in a long while,” he laughed.
“I don’t think I’ve seen so many people at St Patrick’s since my first communion all those years back, it’s really amazing.”
A supporter takes a selfie with Daniel Wiffen. (Pic: Stephen Hamilton)
The site of Daniel’s homecoming isn’t just special because it’s within his hometown. St Patrick’s Church is actually the Wiffens’ parish, with Daniel and his twin brother Nathan serving as altar boys.
“I was, (an altar boy) yeah, eight years, my whole family did it – I did it with Nathan, we rotated,” he added.
“But Nathan is very proud, I think he’s hiding because people keep confusing him for me. But the whole family is so happy for me, it means the world.
“They’re so happy to meet everyone here as well, and just celebrate a great Olympics.”
Wiffen said he was “feeling much better” after his recent bout of illness, which he revealed was actually a bacterial stomach infection he picked up in the Seine during his open water contest.
“It was actually really bad, but the doctors were great and they really helped me. I’m fit and fighting again.”
As for the future, he revealed he has some short term leisure plans before his next goals – specifically next year’s Commonwealth Games and then the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
“I’ll not be back to training until October, but I’ve a friend who I train with coming over to Ireland so I plan on showing him about and then a holiday – and then play some golf,” he added.
“We’ve also the World Championships, I mean it can’t get worse now than a gold medal, but I will keep striving for more.
“I’ll also be locking the medals away as well, so they don’t get damaged or stolen.”
As for if he’ll be taking to the open water sometime again in the future after his unfortunate spell in the Seine, the 23-year old answered resoundingly: “No.”
“I’m not doing it again, it took it out of me. Marathon swimming is not my sport.”
Notable political figures also turned out to see the double medallist, including deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly (Pic: Stephen Hamilton)
“It’s fantastic to be here, it’s great to see the local community here as well, plus it’s a fantastic night,” she said.
“From our point of view in Northern Ireland, we’re just so incredibly proud of our young athletes, they’ve done amazingly well. In terms of population, I think Northern Ireland is up there for medals. It’s incredible for such a small place.
“But we are so proud of them all, for Team Ireland and Team GB. I have no doubt this is just the beginning for Daniel and let’s hope in LA, he’ll clean up even more.”
UUP leader Doug Beattie was also on hand to celebrate the Co Armagh athlete.
“This is fantastic for Magheralin, for Northern Ireland and for Team Ireland. I think we all have a degree of feeling good about this. It’s great.” he said.
“Look at the turnout, it’s wonderful and rightfully so. We’ve had so many bad things lately, and this is a feel good moment.”
Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood who was in attendance with her Alliance colleague David Honeyford, said it was brilliant the swimmer was “sharing his talent with the community”.
“It really is brilliant, I’m sure he’s knackered at this point – but the fact that he has come and prioritised his hometown and community speaks volumes to his character.
“We’re so proud of him – there is a whole generation of young people who will be inspired by him, not only him but our athletes across the whole of Ireland.”
Mr Honeyford also praised Wiffen for returning home to celebrate with his community.
“The kids here are loving seeing an Olympic champion and it’s that inspiration that lives on. You can’t buy that, you can’t invest in something like this. It’s fantastic and brilliant for this village.”
Also there were five-year-old twins Connor and Sophia with their grandmother Eileen Hamilton. having travelled all the wa, from Minneapolis in the United States.
Daniel pictured with twins Connor and Sofia Quail. (Pic: Stephen Hamilton)
“They were baptised in this church, and their mum is from here,” said Eileen, who revealed the twins were “Olympics mad” and loved watching hometown hero Daniel.
“(Connor) is swimming mad, they just loved it.”
The event was organised by parish community head, Catriona Hughes who has known the Wiffens their entire lives.
“We are so proud, getting to the Olympics is an achievement, never mind coming back with a medal – but to get two is wonderful,” she said.
“It was impossible to know how many were going to come tonight, but I bought 420 cups just in case.”
Wiffen’s home-coming marks the first for Northern Ireland’s medallists, who won seven medals with Team Ireland and Team GB.
Rower Rebecca Shorten, who won silver, also arrived back at Belfast City Airport yesterday.
Team GB Gold medal rower Hannah Scott is set for a triumphant homecoming in Coleraine on Wednesday while Ards and North Down Council have confirmed they will celebrate a homecoming in Newtownards to welcome native Rhys McClenaghan who took gold in the pommel horse home from Paris.
Other medals were won by swimmer Jack McMillan (gold) and rower Philip Doyle (Bronze).