Daniel Wiffen won two medals in Paris at the Olympics (Image: Getty)
ace Daniel Wiffen has issued a statement after claims he’d joined Irish hip-hop band Kneecap on stage while wearing a balaclava.
Wiffen was one of several standout performers for the Irish Olympics team at the Paris Games this summer, taking two medals in the swimming pool.
But after a video from Kneecap’s gig in Bristol, which appeared to show a man climbing up on stage while wearing a medal, went viral this week, Wiffen has been forced to respond.
Taking to , the 23-year-old said: “Hi All. There is currently a video trending on social media claiming to be me in attendance at a Kneecap Concert in Bristol (UK).
“In the video it claims to be me, to be invited on stage wearing a balaclava / facemask and then to participate in a rap song.
“For clarification this was not me on stage and I was not in attendance at that concert. Stay safe Daniel.”
Wiffen earned plenty of plaudits for his exploits in Paris, taking gold in the 800m freestyle, before backing it up with bronze in the longer 1500m event a couple of days later.
Despite being born in Leeds and attending Loughborough University, Wiffen moved to County Down in Northern Ireland at age two and chose to represent the Irish swimming team.
Daniel Wiffen competed in three events at the Paris Games (Image: Getty)
Athletes from Northern Ireland can choose whether to represent Team GB or Ireland.
, specifically for his witty post-race interviews.
Commenting after the 10,000m open water swim event, Wiffen told Irish broadcaster RTE: “When I got to halfway, all I was thinking was ‘I’m already Olympic champion and I’m swimming this and I’m coming 18th, we’ll just finish it now and then I’m never doing it again.
“My goal coming into this was to finish, I’m very pleased with myself and happy I didn’t come last so that’s the main thing.”
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He continued: “All the coaches were laughing because I was swimming out by myself because I wasn’t a***d going behind somebody, I can’t be arsed getting kicked in the face.”
“I got a couple of elbows in the eye and punched in the face at one point, this sport isn’t for me. I definitely want my own lane next time.
“I’m so happy I’ve completed it and I’m retiring from open water.”
Wiffen is also a two-time World Championships gold medalist in the 800m and 1500m disciplines.