By Retta Race on SwimSwam
The closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games is now behind us, however, the night didn’t go exactly as planned for one gold medalist.
Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen, winner of the men’s 800m free, was set to carry his nation’s flag during the ceremony. However, the 23-year-old had to miss the entire event due to being ill
‘Thanks everyone who reached out. I’m incredibly disappointed to miss out on the opportunity to be flag bearer last night,” Wiffen wrote on social media.
‘Yesterday I was rushed to hospital as I was very unwell with a bug that I am being treated for, and am feeling better now. I hope everyone enjoys the evening.’
In addition to his pool events, Wiffen competed in his first-ever open water swim while in Paris. Swimmers who qualified and raced in the 800m or 1500m free were granted a slot in the 10k open water event in Paris.
Post-race, Wiffen said with a smile that he was ‘never doing it again.’
Although Wiffen doesn’t point to the cause of his illness, we’ve reported how multiple other open water swimmers have suffered various ailments. Germany’s Leonie Beck, for example, vomited nine times and also experienced diarrhea after competing in the Seine River.
The water quality of the Seine came into concern in both the lead-up to the Paris Olympics as well as during potential training sessions and competitions in the last two weeks.
Over a billion euros were spent on the cleaning of the river in hopes of its ability to host the competitions. Swimming in the river was banned since 1923. In late June, the river failed a water quality test as it reported E. Coli levels that were 10x above the acceptable limit. (Swimswam)
We’ve since seen Wiffen land in Dublin along with his teammates and visually appears to be doing better.
Thanks everyone who reached out, I’m incredibly disappointed to miss out on the opportunity to be flag bearer last night.
Yesterday I rushed to hospital as I was very unwell with a bug that I am being treated for, and am feeling better now. I hope everyone enjoys the evening…
— Daniel Wiffen (@WiffenDaniel) August 12, 2024
Touched down in Ireland
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Location: Dublin City
#TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/Wp8kFMd0yt
— Swim Ireland (@swimireland) August 12, 2024
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Irish Olympic Champion Daniel Wiffen Too Ill To Carry Flag At Closing Ceremony