Daniel Wiffen: ‘I’m so proud of him’ – Olympic champion’s family react to historic gold

As Wiffen tried, and failed, to hold back the tears as he received his gold medal, Rachel said she was also crying as her son took the biggest victory of his career.

“It was such a proud, proud moment. I can’t believe it,” a beaming Rachel said.

“When he got his medal we got right down to the bottom. He came running over and he hugged Nathan [Daniel’s twin brother].

“It was lovely, I’m so proud of him.”

Jonathan, Wiffen’s father, added that watching Daniel become the first athlete from Northern Ireland to win an Olympic gold medal in 36 years was phenomenal.

“I don’t think my heart rate has come down to normal yet and this is 30 or 40 minutes after the race.

“I can’t believe he’s got a gold medal, an Olympic gold medal!

“We went down to where the medal ceremony was and fought our way through all the security, and when he ran over it was just lovely.”

Daniel said the only voice he heard in the arena was that of his twin, Nathan, despite the shouts and cheers for Wiffen and French swimmer David Aubrey.

“I’ve lost my voice, to be honest,” Nathan said.

“I knew he had won it in the last 50 metres. I was like ‘he’s got it!’, and I started celebrating before [the end].

“I was shouting, ‘he’s got to go, he’s got to go’.

“I FaceTimed him and said where we were standing to give him a hug after his medal.

“Well done, you’ve done it. You’ve achieved the dream.”