History of Eddie the Eagle in Timeline

Michael "Eddie the Eagle" Edwards is a British ski jumper who gained fame at the 1988 Winter Olympics as the first competitor to represent Great Britain in ski jumping. Although he finished last in both events, his determined spirit and unconventional approach made him a popular figure. He held the British ski jumping record from 1988 to 2001. Edwards also participated in speed skiing and achieved a world record in stunt jumping.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1987: Represents Great Britain at the World Championships

In 1987, Eddie the Eagle first represented Great Britain at the World Championships in Oberstdorf in Bavaria and was ranked 55th in the world.

1988: Competed in the Winter Olympics

During the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Eddie the Eagle competed in both the 70 m and 90 m events, finishing last in both. He scored 69.2 points in the 70 m event and 57.5 points in the 90 m event.

1988: First Olympian

In 1988, Eddie the Eagle became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping. He finished last in the Normal Hill and Large Hill events.

1991: Released a single in Finnish

In 1991, Eddie Edwards recorded a single in Finnish entitled "Mun nimeni on Eetu" ("My name is Eetu"), B-sided with "Eddien Siivellä" ("On Eddie's Wing").

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1992: Declared bankruptcy

In 1992, Eddie Edwards declared bankruptcy, claiming that a trust fund for his earnings was not set up properly.

1992: Failed to qualify for the Winter Olympics

In 1992, Eddie Edwards failed to qualify for the Winter Olympics in Albertville.

1994: Failed to qualify for the Games in Lillehammer

Eddie Edwards failed to qualify for the 1994 Winter Olympics Games in Lillehammer.

1998: Failed to qualify for the Games in Nagano

Despite a sponsorship, Eddie Edwards failed to qualify for the 1998 Games in Nagano.

2001: Lost British ski jumping record

Eddie the Eagle held the British ski jumping record from 1988 to 2001.

2001: Interested in Law

In 2001, Eddie Edwards mentioned in an interview that he'd been interested in law since taking out a civil action against his trustees 10 years ago.

2003: Graduated with a degree in law

In 2003, Eddie Edwards graduated from De Montfort University in Leicester with a degree in law.

2007: Biopic Planned

In 2007, a biopic chronicling the life story of Eddie the Eagle was planned by Irish director Declan Lowney.

February 2008: Calgary visit for 20th anniversary of the Games

On February 2008, Eddie Edwards visited Calgary to participate in the festivities marking the twentieth anniversary of the Games. He rode the zip-line and led a procession of skiers down the slopes of the park carrying an Olympic torch.

2009: Rupert Grint chosen for title role

In 2009, Lowney announced that Rupert Grint would play Eddie the Eagle in the planned biopic. However, the film did not go ahead.

January 2010: Torchbearer in the Vancouver Olympics relay

In January 2010, Eddie Edwards was chosen as a torchbearer in the relay for the Vancouver Olympics. He ran with the torch on January 7, 2010 in Winnipeg.

February 2012: Appeared on Let's Dance for Sport Relief

On February 2012, Eddie Edwards appeared as a competitor on episode 2 of BBC1's Let's Dance for Sport Relief, 2012 and got through to the final due to most public votes.

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2013: Won Splash!

In 2013, Eddie Edwards won the first series of the British celebrity diving programme Splash!, mentored by Tom Daley.

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January 2014: Commentated on The Jump

In January 2014, Eddie Edwards commentated on the Channel 4 TV programme The Jump, where 12 famous people took part in winter sports. As part of each episode, Edwards jumped off the largest of three ski jumps.

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March 2015: 20th Century Fox acquired the film

In March 2015, 20th Century Fox acquired the film about Eddie the Eagle, with Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman starring and Dexter Fletcher directing.

2016: Biographical film "Eddie the Eagle" released

In 2016, Eddie the Eagle was portrayed by Taron Egerton and Tom and Jack Costello in the biographical film Eddie the Eagle.

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2016: Eddie the Eagle Film Release

In early 2016, the film, Eddie the Eagle, was released and grossed a worldwide total of $46.1 million. In the UK, it grossed $12.8m, making it the highest grossing British film of 2016.

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2017: Returned to ski jumping facilities

In 2017, Eddie Edwards returned to the ski jumping facilities at Canada Olympic Park, where he had taken part in the Olympics in 1988, to make some jumps that were his first in over 15 years.