‘The day has come' – Daniel Wiffen reveals major career change ahead of return to Ireland amid appendicitis recovery
DANIEL WIFFEN has confirmed a major career change as he continues rehab from appendicitis surgery - admitting "the day has come".
In a lengthy post on Instagram, the double Olympic medalist revealed that he is parting ways with Loughborough University.
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Daniel Wiffen has left Loughborough University
Credit: Ian MacNicol/Sportsfile
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His spell peaked with two Olympic medals in Paris
Credit: Piaras O Midheach/Sportsfile
The Irish swimmer, 24, has come of age during his five-year spell with the institution.
It peaked with him becoming a double World and European champion and winning a gold and bronze medal at the Paris Olympics last summer.
He and twin brother Nathan graduated from Loughborough at the start of July.
And on Thursday, Daniel revealed he was parting ways with the university's swimming program.
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Wiffen wrote: "The day has finally come - I have decided that I am moving away from Loughborough university swim programme.
"A place I called home for 5 years. A place where I grew from a swimmer that would never make it, to an Olympic champion.
"When I joined Loughborough I went in with personal bests of 8:13 and 15:39 and now I'm leaving with personal bests of 7:38 and 14:34.
"I just wanted to show this as this programme made me the athlete I am today and I'm sure it will continue to make new Olympic champions long after I'm gone.
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"I would firstly like to thank my coach Andi Manley he is the reason I worked hard everyday to achieve my goals.
"I'd like to thank Mikey P for his continued help across the years from when I was 13 in Lisburn to now where I'm 24 and in the height of my career.
Daniel Wiffen reveals 'crazy' interaction with fans after Olympic gold medal
"Thank you to Felix and Will my long term training partners and best friends the only men to last my time in Loughborough and challenge me along the way.
"I'd also like to thank anyone that has had a part in my journey from training partners to staff you all made a difference."
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Wiffen is currently on the mend after going under the knife for appendicitis back in June.
His rehab had a detrimental effect on the defence of his World Aquatics Championships title as he finished eighth in the 800m final.
He opted to withdrawn from the rest of the tournament in the wake of that race.
And the Armagh man revealed he is returning to Ireland to continue his recovery.
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He will then travel to California to continue his pursuit of the 2028 Olympics
Wiffen added: "Now this chapter has come to a close I will be moving back to Ireland while I rehab from my appendicitis surgery and then will be hopefully joining Nathan in California for periods until LA28.
"Thank you Loughborough"
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