THERE are some who may just view Daniel Wiffen’s uber-confidence as madness — and he plans on going in Seine in Paris.
But he does not come from the school of thought that you should keep your targets to yourself.
While others might wince at the prospect of setting yourself up for a fall, Wiffen is embracing the expectation that surrounds a double world champion ahead of the Paris Olympic Games.
He hopes to medal in both the 800m and 1500m freestyle and, when he has finished in the pool, is eyeing up more success in the 10km open swim — although he may have a rethink if it is moved.
Wiffen shrugged: “I would like to say I’m quite a veteran now. I’ve done an Olympics, I’ve done a Commonwealth Games, two village atmospheres.
“I’ve won the World Championships so coming into this Olympics, I’m not going to say there’s no pressure but there’s kind of no pressure as I’ve done it before.
“All I’ve to do is repeat it on the day and I’ve done it every time. I’ve PB-ed on the big stage, why not keep it up for another year? I think I’ve always been confident, ever since I was really young. Maybe I was too confident for the results that I was producing when I was younger but now they’re starting to catch up.”
No rival has caught up with him since his exploits in the World Championships in February, which he says means there is no reason to sit up and take notice.
He said: “I would’ve if they’d taken over my No 1 ranking in the world, but to be honest no one has come close which is a bit weird. But I mean it’s all going to be on the day, isn’t it?
“I’m sure my time from the World Championships won’t last, because I’m definitely going to beat it, so I hope somebody else will be in there for the race.”
His twin and training partner Nathan and their Loughborough coach Andy Manley are aiding his preparations at the National Aquatic Centre ahead of his departure for Paris next Tuesday.
He has the 800m heats on Monday July 29, the final of which is the next day.
The 1500m heats are on August 3 with the final the following day. The open swim is down for August 9 with the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo taking a dip yesterday in order to prove the Seine is safe for swimming.
Wiffen said: “I definitely want to podium in the 800m and 1500m and in the 10km.
“A swimmer has never won the 1500m and the 10km so if I win the 1500m, why not go for the win in the 10km?
“Physically it won’t make much of a difference, I’ve done the 400, 800, 1500 at a World Championships and finished it on a PB.
“It’ll be more like mentally, because it’s an hour and 45 minute race and I’ve never done a long swim like that before.
“After the 1500m, if all goes well, I come out with a medal, I’ll be like, ‘Maybe I’ll party’.
“I’ll have to see what happens. They’ve spent billions cleaning up this river. My goal is to get a photo at the finish line in front of the Eiffel Tower, hopefully in first.
“I’ve always said that my dream at this Olympics is to swim in the Seine, and if it’s not in the Seine, I maybe could reconsider swimming the 10km.
“The mayor has gone in the Seine, I think it’ll go ahead.”