Eddie the Eagle
Eddie the Eagle is the nickname of Michael Edwards, a British ski jumper who became famous for finishing last at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
His cheerful persistence despite minimal talent and resources made him a beloved underdog figure.
The name now evokes plucky amateurism and lovable failure: He's a real Eddie the Eagle—no chance of winning but giving it everything.
- skiSnow-gliding footwear attachment
- ski jumpingAirborne distance contest on snow
- jumpPropel oneself airborne
- Winter OlympicsCold-season international athletic gathering
- OlympicsGlobal athletic contest
1988 · Calgary · underdog · against all odds · glasses · Britain · British · soaring · courage · plucky · amateur · landing · crash landing · snow · hill · ramp · goggles · determination
cultural archetype in sport
Eddie the EagleMichael Phelps
Usain Bolt · Carl Lewis · Michael Jordan · unbeatable · record-breaker