| Jonathan Edwards shot to fame when he took the World Record for the Triple Jump in 1995. But he was Triple Jumping back in 1988 at the Seoul Olympics.
He won the Commonwealth Games silver medal in 1990 and 1994, and in 1992 took the World Cup Triple Jump, when he went to Barcelona for the Olympics. He took World Champion Bronze in 1993. Barcelona was a disappointment.
It was probably the worst period of my life athletically. All my hopes and dreams had been blown out of the water.
However, as a Christian he learnt from the experience, and had to question his feelings: Am I really going to go for it 100%, come what may, win or lose? Is God first? Am I going to glorify Him and give my best to Him, regardless of results?
Jonathan returned from the 96 Atlanta Olympics with a silver medal.
He lost his world title to a Cuban competitor at the August 97 games in Athens. He was disappointed not to hit gold, but was still delighted to have come away with a silver medal. Britain won no gold medals at all, claiming five silver and one bronze.
The European Championships at Budapest in August 98 were a triumph. Jonathan effectively won in the first found with a championship record of 17.84 metres. But with his last jump late in the afternoon came another record - 17.99 metres.
Jonathan was delighted for the British team. Never before had Britain managed nine golds and topped the table at the same time. He said,
It is almost like a dream. You could not have written it. It has put us at the top of the pole in terms of sport in Great Britain. |
Great Britain