Daniel Wiffen: Olympic champion named BBC Northern Ireland’s Sports Personality of the Year
Wiffen joins a list of BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year winners, including Rory McIlroy, Carl Frampton, Reece McLehan and 2023 winner Ciara Magion.
“The list of greats who have won this award is endless. As a golf fan, the name Rory McIlroy stands out to me,” he added.
“But it’s special, 2024 is my year. I have no words to say, it’s such a surprise.”
Asked to reflect on 12 months ago, Wiffen said: “To be honest, you knew from the Christmas before that you were going to win the Olympics.
“I knew from that Christmas that I was going to win. I think now there are only a few more Christmases left before we go to Los Angeles (for the 2028 Olympics) and live that dream again.”
Neil Brittain, executive editor of BBC Sport NI, said: “It’s been a fantastic year for our sports stars and it’s been a real challenge for the judges to select the winners.
“This has been our best ever Olympics, with six athletes from Northern Ireland taking home medals.
“Many of our top athletes have had extraordinary years in 2024, achieving success that would have earned them this award in any other year.
“However, Daniel’s performance in the Paris pool was absolutely incredible. He told us he was going to win and he backed up that confidence with his gold medal performance.”
The award’s judging panel includes All-Ireland senior football champion Oisin McConville, four-time Paralympic champion Michael McKillop, Irish hockey Olympian Katie Mullan, Northern Ireland women’s record cap holder Zhu Leigh Nelson, Six Nations Grand Slam winner Grace Davitt, BBC Sport NI executive editor Neil Brittain and BBC Sport NI football commentator Thomas Kane.
