World champions Italy take on Egypt

Swimming: Daniel Wiffen becomes the first Irish man to win Olympic gold in swimming, breaking the Olympic record in the 800m freestyle

The next final in the group is the Men’s 800m FreestyleWhere Daniel Wiffen (IRL) is the fastest qualifier and the big favorite. No Irishman has ever won gold in swimming at the Olympics. Wiffen, the world champion, could change that.

He will face a strong field of participants, including the reigning champion Bobby Finke, Gregorio Paltrinieri, Elijah Winningtonand surprising Tunisian qualification Ahmed Jaouadi.

Wiffen is also the world record holder in the short distance in this event and knows how to set his pace. So does Finke, the champion in two distances in Tokyo.

Winningtonwho won silver in the 400m freestyle earlier in this competition, leads the 200m, from Jaouadi and Wiffen. They are all under the world record pace.

Wiffen and Finke both narrowly pass Jaouadi at 300 metres, while Winnington is still ahead.

The Irishman looks around to make sure he can match Winnington, and now that he’s halfway there, he’s taken the lead. Jaouadi tries to swim into Wiffen’s wash. Finke and Paltrineri are second and third in the 400, while Winnington has decided to simply drop back.

It’s still Wiffen, now leading from Paltrinieri, who once won a world title in the 1500m solo swim from lane one. Wiffen is just 0.06 ahead of the Italian at the 550 bend, with Finke also in the mix. It’s a 200m sprint between the three.

The margin between Wiffen and Paltrinieri has dropped to 0.01 seconds! The Italian is heading towards 650, did Wiffen go too early? Paltrinieri leads with three lengths to go!

They come back for the bell lap, two lengths left and the crowd has turned up the volume. Wiffen tries to turn this back, as does Finke, who had a great last 50 in Tokyo.

Wiffen timed this well! 0.10 seconds into the race as they head home! And here comes Finke, just like in Tokyo!

It’s a grandstand finish! Daniel Wiffen wins gold for Ireland in Olympic record time!

He raises both arms in the air and drops the microphone. 7:38.19.

Bobby Finke wins silver after a fast finish, 0.56 behind; Paltrinieri bronze in 7:39.38.