Olympics Day 9: Daniel Wiffen goes for second gold medal, as Novak Djokovic defeats Carlos Alcaraz in final
Key updates
' Who cares? I'm an Olympic champion' - Daniel Wiffen looks on the bright side It wasn't to be for Daniel Wiffen finishing in third in the 1500m freestyle behind America's Bobby Finke and Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri. Wiffen gave a mature post-race interview admitting he 'just didn't have enough today,' taking great pride in the two medals he's won this week. He looks forward to relaxing, leaving the pool behind for a while and enjoying the celebrations of his great triumphs. Disappointed not to win gold and set a world record mark, he vowed to come back stronger. "I'm happy but disappointed at the same time," said the 23-year-old. "When you hit gold the first time you race, you don't want less than that. "The way I was looking, Greg (Paltrinieri) was blocking Bobby (Finke) and I couldn't see it. Then when I saw him, I was like, 'it's going to be a very painful race right now.' I did dig deep to try and push it but just didn't have enough today. "I'm so happy. I couldn't dream of anything better. Being an Olympic champion is like a dream come through. I did have my sights set on a world record but today wasn't the day. Well done to Bobby, he did class, and we will be back better next time." "Tonight I'm going to celebrate. I'm going to put the pool behind me until next season. It's quite emotional. I don't know what to say. A gold and a bronze, I can't be more happy. Today's race didn't go my way but who cares, I'm Olympic champion."
Daniel Wiffen has to settle for bronze as Bobby Finke sets new World Record There's no dream double for the Armagh swimmer with America's Bobby Finke storming to gold in a new world record of 14.30.67. Finke flew out of the blocks setting a blistering pace in the early stages but he backed it up and Wiffen never got within three metres of him. Watching on, the hope was that Wiffen would strike with a mid-race-surge but instead Finke extended his advantage, turning the tables on the Irish man having finished behind him in the 800m freestyle earlier in the week. The reigning champ Finke cruised through all of the markers ahead of world record pace and he maintained the momentum through to the finish, storming home for the gold. Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri came home in second with Wiffen in third, taking the bronze in 14.39.63.
Finn Lynch on track for medal race in Men's Dinghy Carlow sailor Finn Lynch is on the cusp of the medal race in the men's dinghy after two solid races on Sunday, finishing 13th and 11th respectively. It leaves Lynch where he wants to be, admittedly with little wiggle room, in tenth place on 99 points with the top ten earning places in the decider. He has race nine and ten on Monday determining whether he makes it into the big one on Tuesday.
Scheffler is Olympic champ as McIlroy finishes tied fifth A bogey on seventeen meant Tommy Fleetwood had to birdie the last to force a play-off but instead he had to fight for a par. Fleetwood left himself with a tester having missed the green with his approach but he holes out from six feet, avoiding a play-off with Hideki Matsuyama. The Japanese golfer took the bronze, with Rory McIlroy back in fifth, counting the cost of an untimely splash on fifteen. 1 Scottie Scheffler -19 (62) 2 Tommy Fleetwood -18 (66) 3 Hideki Matsuyama -17 (65) 4 Viktor Perez -16 (63) 5 Rory McIlroy -15 (66) 5 Jon Rham -15 (70)
Novak Djokovic defeats Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 7-6 to seal the golden slam It's the missing piece of the puzzle for the Serbian legend as he downs Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to become Olympic champ. The 37-year-old won both sets in a tie-break, becoming the oldest Olympic tennis gold medallist since 1988. Djokovic turned the tables on Alcaraz after defeat in the Wimbledon final last month and there were tears of joy afterwards as he became the fifth player in tennis history to secure the golden slam.
What might have been for Rory McIlroy with final round 66 It's a case of what might have been for Rory McIlroy as a mishap on the fifteenth ends his Olympic medal bid. McIlroy was on fire at that stage dropping five birdies in a row in an irresistible mid-round charge but finding the water on the par four rocked him on his heels, leading to a costly double-bogey. It brought him back to -15 and there he remained, parring the last three holes. It's a final round of 66 that's tinged with regret as it won't be enough for the medal he craved. Elsewhere, Scottie Scheffler has set a clubhouse target of -19 and unless Tommy Fleetwood birdies the last, the world number one will be Olympic champ. It's the same story in the battle for bronze where Jon Rahm needs a birdie to force a playoff with Japan's Hideki Matsuyama.
Scheffler out in front with one to play! The world number one is within touching distance of Olympic gold after four birdies on the bounce. He's visibly pumped up with that latest putt and Scheffler is 19-under-par going into the 18th hole. Tommy Fleetwood, who is playing 15 at the minute, trails by one shot. Rory McIlroy (-15) takes a par on 16 and he has left himself with too much to do following that mistake.
Final round 71 for Shane Lowry in the Men's Golf Individual Stroke Play The Clara man has two bogeys on his final three holes to end up with a 71 for the day and finish on five-under-par, which is currently a tie for 26th. It isn't where Lowry would have wanted to be but he was out of contention from very early on.
Jegou and Hendrick eliminated from Men's Kayak Cross In the men's kayak cross, Liam Jegou and Noel Hendrick finish third in their respective heats. With the first two qualifying for the quarter-finals, it means the pair's involvement in this event is over. Madison Corcoran will take part in heat 8 of the women's kayak cross at 4.20pm or so.
Finn Lynch up to 13th after Race 7 of Men's Dinghy The National Yacht Club sailor has jumped two places in the overall standings after taking 13 points from the first of two races today. He still has Race 8 to come this afternoon and, as mentioned earlier, will have an eye on making the top 10 at the end of the series.
16th overall for Nicola Tuthill in the Women's Hamer Throw qualifying round The Cork athlete smiles after letting a huge throw go. Her final attempt lands at 69.90m, just short of the 70m mark. That's a fine effort from Tuthill at her first Olympic Games but will be outside the top-12 finish required to make the final. She takes 16th place and looks to have a bright future in the sport.
Irish timetable for Sunday:
Golf
10.17am – Shane Lowry (Men’s Individual, Round 4)
Athletics
From 10.45am – Nicola Tuthill (Women’s Hammer Throw qualifying round, Group B)
Sailing
From 11.05am – Finn Lynch (Men’s Dinghy, Races 7 and 8)
Golf
11.28am – Rory McIlroy (Men’s Individual, Round 4)
Cycling
1pm – Megan Armitage (Women’s Road Race)
Sailing
From 1.35pm – Eve McMahon (Women’s Dinghy, Races 7 and 8)
2.35pm – Liam Jegou (Men’s Kayak Cross, Heat 2)
3pm – Noel Hendrick (Men’s Kayak Cross, Heat 7)
4.20pm – Madison Corcoran (Women’s Kayak Cross, Heat 8)
Swimming
5.37pm – Daniel Wiffen (Men’s 1500m Freestyle final)
Athletics
8.10pm – Cathal Doyle (Men’s 1500m semi-final)
The hope killed us when it came to Rory McIlroy's Olympic bid.
He stormed into contention with a scintillating back nine birdie blitz but it all ended in a 'watery grave' as Brian Keogh writes here.
"Six days after been crowned the new 800m Olympic champion, the 23-year-old had to give way to defending Olympic champion Bobby Finke, who led virtually from the start to win the gruelling 30-lap event in a new world record time of 14:30.67."
Read Sean McGoldrick's report from Paris here.
'Who cares? I'm an Olympic champion' - Daniel Wiffen looks on the bright sideIt wasn't to be for Daniel Wiffen finishing in third in the 1500m freestyle behind America's Bobby Finke and Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri.
Wiffen gave a mature post-race interview admitting he 'just didn't have enough today,' taking great pride in the two medals he's won this week.
He looks forward to relaxing, leaving the pool behind for a while and enjoying the celebrations of his great triumphs.
Disappointed not to win gold and set a world record mark, he vowed to come back stronger.
"I'm happy but disappointed at the same time," said the 23-year-old.
"When you hit gold the first time you race, you don't want less than that.
"The way I was looking, Greg (Paltrinieri) was blocking Bobby (Finke) and I couldn't see it. Then when I saw him, I was like, 'it's going to be a very painful race right now.' I did dig deep to try and push it but just didn't have enough today.
"I'm so happy. I couldn't dream of anything better. Being an Olympic champion is like a dream come through. I did have my sights set on a world record but today wasn't the day. Well done to Bobby, he did class, and we will be back better next time."
"Tonight I'm going to celebrate. I'm going to put the pool behind me until next season. It's quite emotional. I don't know what to say. A gold and a bronze, I can't be more happy. Today's race didn't go my way but who cares, I'm Olympic champion."
Daniel Wiffen has to settle for bronze as Bobby Finke sets new World RecordThere's no dream double for the Armagh swimmer with America's Bobby Finke storming to gold in a new world record of 14.30.67.
Finke flew out of the blocks setting a blistering pace in the early stages but he backed it up and Wiffen never got within three metres of him.
Watching on, the hope was that Wiffen would strike with a mid-race-surge but instead Finke extended his advantage, turning the tables on the Irish man having finished behind him in the 800m freestyle earlier in the week.
The reigning champ Finke cruised through all of the markers ahead of world record pace and he maintained the momentum through to the finish, storming home for the gold.
Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri came home in second with Wiffen in third, taking the bronze in 14.39.63.
It's not looking good for Daniel Wiffen, with Bobby Finke streaking clear ahead of world record pace with just 200 metres to go.
Wiffen is in third place.
Daniel Wiffen taking closer order
He's moved to within two seconds and 3 metres of the leader who remains on world record pace with 700 metres to go.
American hope and defending champ Bobby Finke has set a blistering pace in the early stages of the race, speeding through the first 400m a full second ahead of world record pace. Our man remains in third place, five metres and 2.9 seconds behind the leader.
Daniel Wiffen is off and away in his 1500m freestyle final, settling into third place in the early stages.
As we build up to Daniel Wiffen's 1500m freestyle swim, read David Kelly's interview with his coach Martin McGann here.
"He always had unwavering belief about himself."
The race is due to start imminently.
Wiffen time
He's due for take-off shortly in his bid for a second gold medal, in the 1500m freestyle.
Speaking on RTÉ, former Irish swimmer Earl McCarthy is certainly confident in him.
"After watching the 800m, the form that he's in... I'm going to go as extreme to say I don't even think there will be a race. I think about half-way through, Daniel will pull away, and that will be the end of it."
'It wasn't to be,' for Rory McIlroy who says he's enjoyed the buzz in the Irish camp
"I got on that run on the back nine and thought any medal was possible then," McIlroy said afterwards.
"That one wedge shot on fifteen, I hit the shot I wanted to hit, just didn't get it up in the air enough for the wind to carry it onto the green.
"Unfortunately, it wasn't to be."
"It's been amazing (the whole experience). This games has felt a lot different than Tokyo because of Covid. There's been a great feeling around these games, particularly within the Irish camp."
‘It shows I’ve got balls anyway’ – Rhys McClenaghan’s 47 seconds fit for the Louvre'
Sinead Kissane caught up with the man-of-the-moment Rhys McClenaghan after his gold medal in the pommel horse on Sunday afternoon.
Read more/watch their chat here.
Daniel Wiffen is going for a second gold medal of these games in the men's freestyle 1500m at 5.37.
Katie Byrne writes about 'unshakeable self-confidence' here.
Finn Lynch on track for medal race in Men's DinghyCarlow sailor Finn Lynch is on the cusp of the medal race in the men's dinghy after two solid races on Sunday, finishing 13th and 11th respectively.
It leaves Lynch where he wants to be, admittedly with little wiggle room, in tenth place on 99 points with the top ten earning places in the decider.
He has race nine and ten on Monday determining whether he makes it into the big one on Tuesday.
Scheffler is Olympic champ as McIlroy finishes tied fifthA bogey on seventeen meant Tommy Fleetwood had to birdie the last to force a play-off but instead he had to fight for a par.
Fleetwood left himself with a tester having missed the green with his approach but he holes out from six feet, avoiding a play-off with Hideki Matsuyama.
The Japanese golfer took the bronze, with Rory McIlroy back in fifth, counting the cost of an untimely splash on fifteen.
1 Scottie Scheffler -19 (62)
2 Tommy Fleetwood -18 (66)
3 Hideki Matsuyama -17 (65)
4 Viktor Perez -16 (63)
5 Rory McIlroy -15 (66)
5 Jon Rham -15 (70)
Novak Djokovic defeats Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 7-6 to seal the golden slamIt's the missing piece of the puzzle for the Serbian legend as he downs Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to become Olympic champ.
The 37-year-old won both sets in a tie-break, becoming the oldest Olympic tennis gold medallist since 1988.
Djokovic turned the tables on Alcaraz after defeat in the Wimbledon final last month and there were tears of joy afterwards as he became the fifth player in tennis history to secure the golden slam.
What might have been for Rory McIlroy with final round 66It's a case of what might have been for Rory McIlroy as a mishap on the fifteenth ends his Olympic medal bid.
McIlroy was on fire at that stage dropping five birdies in a row in an irresistible mid-round charge but finding the water on the par four rocked him on his heels, leading to a costly double-bogey.
It brought him back to -15 and there he remained, parring the last three holes.
It's a final round of 66 that's tinged with regret as it won't be enough for the medal he craved.
Elsewhere, Scottie Scheffler has set a clubhouse target of -19 and unless Tommy Fleetwood birdies the last, the world number one will be Olympic champ.
It's the same story in the battle for bronze where Jon Rahm needs a birdie to force a playoff with Japan's Hideki Matsuyama.
It's ALL GO at Le Golf NationalTommy Fleetwood drains an improbable birdie on the notoriously difficult Par Three sixteenth, bringing him level with Scheffler on -19. Jon Rahm suffered a horror show of his own on 14 but he's back in the hunt on -17 after a birdie on 16. World number one Scottie Scheffler has matched the course record of 62, saving par with a tester on the last, setting the clubhouse mark on -19. Rory McIlroy looks destined for a fourth/fifth place finish. We'll keep you posted as he makes his way down the last. Play-off, anyone?
As things stand:
Scottie Scheffler -19 (62)
Tommy Fleetwood -19 (16)
Hideki Matsuyama -17 (17)
Jon Raham -17 (16)
Viktor Perez -16 (63)
Rory McIlroy -15 (17)
Scheffler out in front with one to play!
The world number one is within touching distance of Olympic gold after four birdies on the bounce.
He's visibly pumped up with that latest putt and Scheffler is 19-under-par going into the 18th hole.
Tommy Fleetwood, who is playing 15 at the minute, trails by one shot. Rory McIlroy (-15) takes a par on 16 and he has left himself with too much to do following that mistake.
Load more
TickarooLive Blog Software
