Jonathon Edwards, CBE, is a celebrated British athlete who is a famous former triple jumper. Edwards enjoyed a glittering career and was decorated with several awards and medals throughout, he is an Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European champion and currently holds the world record in the triple jump event. Edwards is now recognised in the media as a valued sports commentator and presenter for BBC television.
1995 was a breakthrough year for Edwards, as he jumped 18.43 metres at the European Cup, followed by a gold medal win at the World Championships, in which he exceeded the world record twice in the same meeting. At the 2000 Summer Olympics, Edwards won gold and following the event he was publically recognised and appointed CBE. Edwards retired following the 2003 World Championships as Britain’s most prolific medal winning athlete, winning a total of six gold medals, five silver and three bronze. In 2002, Edwards held gold medals for the four major events; the Olympic Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games and European Championships.
Since retiring as an athlete, Edwards has pursued a successful media career and has commentated and presented for the BBC at various athletic events as well as presenting Songs of Praise. A keen cyclist, Edwards has presented the BBC’s cycling racing coverage since 2012, he also covered the Winter Olympics for the BBC and worked with Channel 4 when covering the 2014 Winter Paralympics. Edwards has also worked with Eurosport, assuming the role of lead presenter for the channel.