For the first time, three current world champions from Northern Ireland competed in Paris.

Rhys McClenaghan, Hannah Scott and Daniel Wiffen are now Olympic champions.

Now they hope to use their success to inspire the children and young people who populate Northern Ireland’s gymnastics, rowing and athletics clubs, swimming pools and hockey pitches, as well as all other sporting organisations across the country.

“You can see us all as people who come from small towns, and that shows that with hard work, dedication and a passion for your craft, you can set a goal, pursue it practically your whole life, and then one day it can come true,” McClenaghan said.

“Hopefully this will be an example for the younger generation, but also for the older generation who aspire to these goals.”

Scott added: “What is possible is that it is possible for anyone. I think anything is possible, you just have to put your mind to it. That’s where we had to start and to be here today is what we dreamed of, but to actually be here is something else entirely, so anything is possible.”

Wiffen explained, “Yeah, pursue your dreams 100%, you know what I mean?

“I was never a standout junior athlete. I just trained at my local club in Lisburn, and I just trained hard because I love the sport and I love training, and then I just kept progressing.

“And the longer I stayed in the water, the more I loved it. And then I started setting my goals even higher and decided to pursue my dreams. And when you have a dream in your head, anything is possible. So never give up.

“I’m only 23 and who knows what the future holds. I have a long swimming career ahead of me and by winning the Olympics I have achieved everything that is possible in this sport.”