In which sport did Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards compete?

Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards competed in ski jumping.

Edwards represented Great Britain at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, where he entered both the 70-metre and 90-metre ski-jumping events. He finished last in both competitions, but his determination, distinctive appearance and underdog status made him one of the Games' most memorable figures. He became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping.

Michael Edwards had originally pursued alpine skiing, but he switched to ski jumping because Britain had no established Olympic ski-jumping team and the route to qualification appeared more accessible. He trained with limited money and facilities, often working other jobs to support his athletic ambitions. His Olympic appearance drew enormous public attention despite his results.

The nickname “The Eagle” is often associated with his famous Olympic jumps, but he was a genuine ski jumper rather than a competitor in bobsleigh or luge. His story later inspired the 2016 film Eddie the Eagle, starring Taron Egerton. After Calgary, Olympic qualification standards were tightened, partly because of the attention surrounding athletes like Edwards.