Britain’s Winter Olympic ski-jumping legend Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards on the penis injections in Milan Cortina and his desire to ski a Black run on his 100th birthday
Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards remains one of the Winter Olympics’ most unforgettable characters. The plucky British ski jumper captured hearts at Calgary 1988, not through medals but through courage, humour and sheer determination. Decades later he still inspires fans, proving perseverance can matter more than podiums. With digital magazine and newspaper app Readly providing archival content including his heroic landing at the 1988 Games, we caught up with the ski jump icon, now 62, to talk fitness, resilience and staying active into his sixties.
Men’s Fitness: Eddie, how did you actually end up ski jumping at Calgary?
Eddie Edwards: I started skiing on a school trip and basically lived at my local slope afterwards. I got into alpine ski racing and earned a licence to race internationally for Great Britain. I went to America but ran out of money in Lake Placid. I saw the ski jumps, realised ski jumping was much cheaper, and had a go – loved it. Then I discovered Britain had never had a ski jumper before. I asked what I needed to qualify for Calgary, reached that level, and became Eddie the Eagle. But alpine racing was actually my first love.
MF: There’s been controversy about ski jumpers at this Winter’s Olympics using injections to influence suit size. What’s that about?
EE: Apparently some jumpers have been injecting parts of their anatomy (penis) so they measure slightly bigger when officials size their suits. The idea is they’ll be given a marginally larger suit, which in theory traps a bit more air and helps you fly further. But honestly, it’s a storm in a pair of underpants. You might gain a centimetre at most – and that won’t make any real difference. A small gust of wind coming up the hill will help you far more than that ever could.
MF: Any athletes we should keep an eye on at Milano Cortina?
EE: I’d love to see Dave Ryding do well in the slalom – he’s had some great results and I think he’s planning to retire after these Games. I always watch the ski jumping and downhill too, but I really enjoy the snowboard cross, ski cross and short-track speed skating because they’re unpredictable. When you’ve got four athletes racing together, bumping and barging, anything can happen – and that’s what makes it exciting.
MF: We’ve featured Dave and other Alpine skiers in our latest edition, it’s a sport that demands serious fitness, doesn’t it?
EE: Oh yes – strength, power, flexibility, everything. You’re going down a mountain at over 80mph in icy conditions. It’s very hard on your knees and joints, so you have to be very fit – especially strong legs. I’ve had a few injuries over the years. It’d probably be easier to mention the bones I haven’t broken! But luckily I don’t suffer from arthritis. I think it’s because I stay active – dancing, workouts, running or cycling. If I became a couch potato I’d seize up. I want that to keep me going for another 30 or 40 years.
MF: You’ve stayed incredibly active – what does fitness look like for you now at 62?
EE: I still do a bit of everything: lifting weights, running, cycling and dancing – jive mainly. It’s quick enough to be a good workout. Up until Covid, if I wasn’t working in the evening doing an after-dinner talk, I’d be out dancing five or six nights a week. It’s actually how I met my partner. Three and a half years ago she came along to a dance, we had a dance together, and we’ve been dating and dancing ever since.
MF: We haven’t seen you on Strictly Come Dancing though Eddie?
EE: They did ask me about seven years ago, but it was quite soon after the ‘Eddie the Eagle’ film came out and my diary was full. I couldn’t cancel about 150 bookings just to do Strictly. If they ask again in the future, I’d certainly consider it.
MF: Talking of the film – sports biopics can be hit and miss, but yours was brilliant. How did you feel about it?
EE: Oh, I loved it. I actually signed the deal to make it 27 years before it came out – so it was a long time coming! It took 15 years before they even decided to make it because the small production company had to find the money and a director and someone to play me.
Then I did Splash! on ITV and won the first series. Dexter Fletcher was watching and thought, “There must be a story there.” He heard about the movie rights, bought them, and started making the film.I’m glad it took as long as it did because they had time to reflect on what my performance at Calgary was all about. They captured the heart and spirit perfectly. It still brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it.
MF: The film gets shown in schools too?
EE: Yes, lots of schools show it to kids. It’s uplifting and encourages them to follow whatever their hopes and dreams are. I do a lot of talks at schools about resilience, as well as at breakfast clubs, lunches, dinners, cruises and conferences. I tell all the funny stories about getting to Calgary and what happened afterwards, but the underlying message is resilience – tenacity and never giving up.
MF: You still lift weights, how important is strength training as you get older?
EE: Very important. I train at home at the moment but I’m moving in with my partner soon and I’m already looking for a gym. I’ll bring my weights too, but it’s nice to use proper machines. My aim is to stay strong as long as possible. If I’m strong in my 60s, it helps my 70s; strong in my 70s helps my 80s. My big ambition is to ski down a black run on my 100th birthday.
Eddie the Eagle is launching a Winter Olympic series with the Readly app www.readly.com. . The series includes stand out issues from some of the most memorable moments in Winter Olympic history plus all the latest from this month’s Winter Olympics.
