British · London · Born 10 May 1966British triple jumper who held the world record of 18.29m for over 25 years and won Olympic gold at Sydney 2000, considered the greatest in his event
Jonathan David Edwards was born in London in 1966. He set the triple jump world record of 18.29m at the 1995 World Championships in Gothenburg — a record that still stands as of 2024 — in the same competition where he also set the previous world record of 18.16m in the preliminary rounds. He was a committed Christian throughout his career who initially refused to compete on Sundays. He won the Olympic gold at Sydney 2000. He later announced he no longer held Christian beliefs — one of the most discussed individual faith transitions by a prominent British athlete.
Triple jump world record holder
He set two world records in the same competition in 1995 — jumping 18.16m and then 18.29m consecutively — a feat never remotely replicated in the event.
Did You Know?How They Played
Explosive speed and technical precision in triple jump
Lasting Impact
Greatest triple jumper in history, revolutionized the event
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold Sydney 2000
- World Record 18.29m (1995)
- World Champion 1995
British Athletes