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Edwards wants one more leap of faith
LONDON, Aug 24 (AFP) - Look at British triple jumper Jonathan Edwards and it is easy to believe that the 34-year-old world record holder is competing in the wrong era. Edwards, a vicar's son from Gateshead, is a committed Christian; when asked to nominate his favourite book he replies "The Bible". It is all reminiscent of Eric Liddell, the Scotsman who refused to run on a Sunday because of his faith and whose gold medal run in the 400m at the 1924 Paris Olympics made it to the cinema in the Oscar-winning 'Chariots of Fire'. Edwards was someone else who would not compete on the 'Lord's day' but he changed his mind in 1993, having missed the World Championships of 1991 because of his stance. His change of mind prompted a cynical response from those who found his high-minded attitude difficult to take. Not that it seemed to affect Edwards too much. He won silver medals at the 1990 and 1994 Commonwealth Games but did not qualify for the final at the Barcelona Olympics of 1992. "It was probably the worst period of my life athletically. All my hopes and dreams had been blown out of the water." Then came his 'miracle year (although Edwards himself might object to the term) of 1995. At Salamanca he set a world record with 17.98 metres. That was nothing compared to his efforts at the World Championships in Gothenburg. In his first two jumps Edwards extended his world record with jumps of 18.16 and 18.29 metres - the first 18 metre jumps with legal following wind speed in history. Edwards won gold but more than that he had redefined his sport as surely as Bob Beamon did with his then world record jump of 8.90 metres that won him gold at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. French sports newspaper 'L'Equipe' named Edwards their 'International Champion of Champions' and coming into the Atlanta Olympics of 1996 Edwards was the hottest of hot favourites. However, when he needed it most, his form deserted him and his 22-event winning streak was ended by Kenny Harrison of the United States, Edwards taking silver. Edwards, a physics graduate from Durham University, has been struggling with ankle problems this season. However, at a Golden League meeting in Leverkusen, Germany earlier this month, he jumped 17.62 metres to go to the top of this year's world rankings. He knows that this is his last chance of Olympic glory but doubts remain about how his temperament will stand up to the ultimate sporting pressure. "Am I really going to go for it 100 percent, come what may, win or lose? Is God first? Am I going to glorify Him and give my best to Him, regardless of results?" Edwards once said. His supporters will hope Edwards has resolved these doubts before the Olympics begin. The Sydney runway will not be the best place to resolve them.
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