Eddie ‘The Eagle’ fears for future of the Winter Olympics due to climate change

EDDIE ‘THE EAGLE’ EDWARDS fears for the way forward for the Winter Olympics because of local weather change and mounting prices.

The twenty fourth Video games have began in Beijing and like earlier variations over the previous 12 years, there’s a heavy reliance on faux snow.

Glaciers throughout the globe are melting and mountains are shedding their powdery stuff because of rising temperatures.

And former ski jumper Edwards — one of the vital well-known names in British sport — reckons organisers might must adapt rapidly.

Edwards, 58, advised SunSport: “Sooner or later there will probably be world warming and that can trigger plenty of complications.

“Will we’ve got a Winter Olympics sooner or later if we don’t have any snow?

“Ski leaping is OK as it may be pretty much as good a summer time sport as a winter sport on the dry slopes. We used to leap extra in the summertime than winter.

“However relating to the slalom or large slalom, are we going to have the ability to try this with out snow?

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“They’ve moved on in leaps and bounds in making the snow-making machines very power environment friendly.

“Nevertheless it’s nonetheless utilizing energy and electrical energy to provide snow, which is dangerous for the atmosphere. I usually marvel, will the Winter Olympics nonetheless be round?”

The general value of those Video games is a closely-guarded secret however internet hosting it safely in a Covid closed-loop will probably be priceless for the picture of China.

Edwards stated: “I don’t understand how a lot Beijing has paid to host the Olympics however they’re one of many richest nations on the earth.

“They’ll afford it. However what number of different nations can afford to spend between ten and 20, perhaps £25billion for a sporting competitors?

“The Olympics have change into too massive. Increasingly nations are saying they’ll’t afford to host an Olympics, summer time or winter. That’s going to be a giant drawback sooner or later as effectively.”

It was in Calgary 34 years in the past that Edwards soared like an Eagle when ending in final place in each the 70m and 80m ski soar occasions.

Some have been disparaging about his feats, saying he didn’t should be on the Olympics.

However Edwards says his story — which was made right into a blockbuster movie in 2016 — was about “resilience, tenacity and by no means giving up”.

He stated: “It’s been a very long time since I took half. I’m amazed individuals are nonetheless fascinated by me!

“The movie actually captured the guts, spirit and essence of my story and there’s a pleasant stability of humour and drama and inspiration.

“My story can relate to something — sport, enterprise, academia, faculty, youngsters. When you have a dream, you may obtain most issues.

“Some stated I used to be a flop for coming final. However irrespective of the place you’re ranked, it’s best to have the best to symbolize your nation in your sport on the Olympics. It’s all in regards to the journey. It’s not essentially about successful gold.”

Nowadays Edwards nonetheless does plastering in Gloucestershire however just for choose shoppers and buddies.

Within the diary are motivational talks for company corporations and he plans to proceed ski leaping when he’s 60.

Edwards stated: “I used to be because of go ski leaping final July in Finland however due to Covid I couldn’t go. I’m hoping to go to Switzerland, France and Austria quickly.

“The final time I jumped was 4 or 5 years in the past in Courchevel. I went on the 90m, which was fairly good enjoyable.

“Who is aware of? I’d determine to spend two months in Finland and see the place it goes. A comeback could be a joke! I’ve had a tremendous 35 years. I’m hoping the following 35 will probably be simply as thrilling.”