And so in the end it was our man doing the chasing - but it was all in vain.
There would be no double gold for Daniel Wiffen. It was Bobby Finke giving the masterclass that many expected Wiffen to give in the 1500m freestyle final. Finke leapt from the blocks like a man possessed, intent on retaining his Olympic crown and breaking a world record that had stood for 12 years.
Wiffen was giving chase but Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri was between him and Finke. The gap to the leader varied between two and three seconds but Wiffen didn't seem himself and when the advantage extended to over three seconds, we kind of knew the defending champion would not be caught.
Paltrinieri tried his best in second, but all our focus was on the American, hoping that he would break the world record that had stood for 12 years.
Like Peter O'Sullevan's commentary on Red Rum's third Grand National win when he uttered the words "they're willing him home", the packed La Defense Arena were also urging Finke to touch the wall in a time never done before.
And that he did in 14:30.67, breaking the 14:31.02 set by China's Sun Yang at London 2012. Three years ago in Tokyo, the Florida native claimed gold in a time of 14:39.65, and now he's nine seconds faster.
Wiffen's rate of improvement is also astonishing, when compared to the Tokyo Games. His current 800m national record is now more than 12 seconds better at 7:39.19, while his latest 1500m record of 14:34.07, which he set at the World Championships in February, is an improvement of just above 33 seconds.
Wiffen said after the semi-final that he would need to smash Yang's record in order to win the 1500m. In the end, he was proved right.
"And I'm so happy to be done with it because I don’t have to deal with these nerves for a long time now, until the next competition"
There was no late kick from Ireland's double world champion, this after he talked about "a mindset of going in to win".
He told the waiting press afterwards: "I felt like the best shape of my life but overall, I'm very pleased with my week. I wish it was reversed, that I won the gold on the last night and the bronze on the third day.
"Happy but disappointed at the same time. Happy because I am Olympic champion and I am a bronze medallist but disappointed with the time and the race, kind of, but what can we do?"
In assessing a week where he won two medals and had much focus on him, he stated that it was "probably one of the most emotionally draining experiences I've ever gone through, and added: "to be honest, I know I come across, I don't get nervous, but I was like just s***ting myself, honestly when I’m walking out every time.
"And I’m so happy to be done with it because I don’t have to deal with these nerves for a long time now, until the next competition."
An exercise in observing the human condition would find a lot to gleam if Daniel Wiffen were its subject. Swim Ireland performance director Jon Rudd described the Co Armagh competitor as a "unique character".
He is that: friendly, somewhat nerdy and gangly, while also refreshingly honest about how high he can aim. The latter conveyed in a way that is not arrogant or conceited. Impressionists would find him easy to do.
Post-race reaction from Wiffen
Time Magazine described Wiffen as "the nerdy-looking athlete who wears glasses", while also quoting him on life in the Olympic Village: "the dining hall has some great chocolate muffins". You would expect him to say something like that. For those working in the media, Wiffen is sure to give you a decent line on which to hang your story; his bold predictions ensure headlines that stand out.
His Olympics is not over, though, as he is still committed to going in the open-water event on Friday. Will the Seine, dirty or not, be ready for him?
So ends the indoor swimming events at these Olympics. At LA 2028, the action in the pool and athletics will swap in the competition schedule, with swimming now scheduled for the second week.
Casey Wassermann, the president of LA 2028, explained it bluntly: "Athletics is our flagship event. So we're going to start with a bang."
But swimming at the La Defence Arena, with its sparkling lighting effects and thunderous acoustics, certainly merited a flagship billing at these Games. It was a week where Ireland took home three medals and another swimmer, Ellen Walshe, reached a final.
The cycle to LA is upcoming; more competitions, and more dealing with those nerves.
Watch the 2024 Olympic Games with 14 hours of televised action on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player each day. Listen to extensive radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1 and 2fm's Game On and follow each moment from Paris on RTÉ.ie, the RTÉ News app and all RTÉ digital platforms. Listen to the daily RTÉ Sport Olympics Podcast.
