(Image via the Canadian Press)
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I’m not sure what’s weirder–the fact that Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards is still relatively famous, or that I can remember, vividly in fact, his awful ski-jumping antics at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.
Edwards, as you may recall, was the British ski-jumper who gained folk-legend status for his coke-bottle glasses and horrible form at the Calgary games. Many fans loved his quirkiness and indomitable spirit–while others felt he made a mockery of the sport of ski-jumping.
Well, 22 years later, the Eagle is back in the limelight…sort of. Since the 2010 Winter Olympics are coming up next month, Olympic organizers arranged to have Edwards carry the Olympic torch. Through the streets of Winnipeg no less. If you’ve ever been to Winterpeg, as we call it up here, all I can say is–I’m sorry.
I’m glad Eddie the Eagle had another opportunity to spend some time, albeit short-lived, in the spotlight again. Now let’s never hear from him again.
