From eating out of bins to the Winter Olympics: Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards' journey to Calgary '88

"At these Games, some competitors have won gold, some have broken records, and some of you have even soared like an eagle." Said IOOC President Frank King at the closing ceremony of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

That was the impact that Michael ’Eddie’ Edwards had upon the millions of on lookers with his unique ski-jumping and even more unique personality.

Edwards’ comes across as a down to earth everyday man which is the reason the nation and the world embraced him. 

However, it is not until questioned about his struggles and journey to the 1988 games that his joyful personality explodes out like a ski jumper on take-off.

"I was in America racing and ran out of money and couldn’t carry on racing because I couldn’t afford to stay in the hotels, the lift passes, my kit and training and then I saw ski-jumping.” Said Edwards in the comfort of his home ski-centre in Gloucester.

“Ski-Jumping was a lot cheaper so for me, it was an economic decision. I tried it and thought this is good fun and worked myself quickly up to the big hills. 

“For me, it showed the resiliance and the tenasity to never give up I portray. That’s what you need, not only in sport but in everything to do with life. You need that mental strength whatever you want to do and wherever you want to go.”

The Cheltenham-born flyer came from a working-class background. His father worked as a plasterer which could have been the catalyst for his determination to achieve his dream.

Edwards radiates his enthusiasm for his sport as he continues: “I loved skiing and having skis on my feet whether they were alpine skis or jumping skis. 

“I was prepared to do anything to do what I loved doing. If that meant picking food out of bins, sleeping in a cow shed or in the back of a car then I would do it because I was doing something I loved. Trying to keep my enthusiasm was not a big issue for me.”

Edwards became Great Britain’s first Olympic ski-jumper at the Calgary games after making it to the 1987 World Championships. Finishing last in both the 70 metre and 90 metre, Edwards became a household name due to his endearing personality that is still very much in full effect. 

However, the winter Olympian didn’t need medals to measure his success:

“Being christened Eddie the Eagle was just a bonus really. It was lovely but if it hadn’t have happened I still would’ve been very happy to have done what I did.

“It was a dream to go to an Olympic games and it came true against all the odds because everyone said it wasn’t possible but through hard work and perseverance you can go along way.

“Some of the athletes were saying who is he and there was a little bit of animosity in the team as I was getting all this attention.” Says Edwards with a joyous reflective smile across his face.

“I was just being myself. I was always laughing and joking and having fun. I knew my ski jumping wasn’t going to set the world alight but I’d only been jumping for 22 months. 

“There was no way I was going to beat anybody but just getting there was the greatest thing. I used my enthusiasm and jokiness to attract attention in hope of getting sponsorship to make it easier to go to future Olympics. 

“90% of the jumpers loved it because I was making the sport entertaining, I was putting bums on seats. You’ve taken the sport from page 51 to page one for two or three years.“

Edwards became the people’s champion. Sport has lost that personal feeling between fans and athletes with the levels of professionalism increasing as money becomes more of a prominent factor in today’s world. It is not until time passes that the true characters are appreciated and provide the fondest memories for everyone.

“Sport becoming too elitist nowadays. The governing bodies are forgetting that sport is entertainment and people love to see the Eddie the Eagles and Eric the Eels of this world just as much as they like to see the world champions and gold medallists.” Said Edwards.

“I think we still need characters in the sports. I remember 30-40 years ago when I was watching Wimbledon that we had some great characters like Ilie Năstase, John McEnroe. 

“We don’t see those characters anymore, they’re very po faced, boring and bland.

“I think all sports need characters as well as their champions.”