Movie - Eddie the Eagle
Recently I won two movie tickets and I decided to invite my sister in law. So off we went this Tuesday to see "Eddie the Eagle" starring Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman.
Basically it's a feel good movie based on true events:
Michael Edwards (born 5 December 1963), better known as Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards, is a British skier and ski jumper who in 1988 became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping. Finishing last in the 70m and 90m events, he became famous as an example of an underdog or "heroic failure", and of perseverance and achievement without funding.
His lack of success endeared him to people around the globe. The worse he performed, the more popular he became. He subsequently became a media celebrity and appeared on talk shows around the world. The press nicknamed him "Mr. Magoo", and one Italian journalist called him a "ski dropper". However, admirers praised him as representing the true Olympic spirit as an amateur athlete who wanted to compete at the best of his ability for its own sake, regardless of his chances of winning.
The widespread attention that Edwards received in Calgary was embarrassing to some in the ski jumping establishment. Shortly after the Olympics finished, the entry requirements were strengthened in order to make it nearly impossible for anyone to follow his example.
(source: Wikipedia)
If you're interested to know what became of him later on, there's a couple of nice articles about him in the Smithsonian Magazine and the The Guardian or even an interview:
I can only admire this man that never gave up, whatever the odds.
Have a nice day!
Basically it's a feel good movie based on true events:
Michael Edwards (born 5 December 1963), better known as Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards, is a British skier and ski jumper who in 1988 became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping. Finishing last in the 70m and 90m events, he became famous as an example of an underdog or "heroic failure", and of perseverance and achievement without funding.
His lack of success endeared him to people around the globe. The worse he performed, the more popular he became. He subsequently became a media celebrity and appeared on talk shows around the world. The press nicknamed him "Mr. Magoo", and one Italian journalist called him a "ski dropper". However, admirers praised him as representing the true Olympic spirit as an amateur athlete who wanted to compete at the best of his ability for its own sake, regardless of his chances of winning.
The widespread attention that Edwards received in Calgary was embarrassing to some in the ski jumping establishment. Shortly after the Olympics finished, the entry requirements were strengthened in order to make it nearly impossible for anyone to follow his example.
(source: Wikipedia)
If you're interested to know what became of him later on, there's a couple of nice articles about him in the Smithsonian Magazine and the The Guardian or even an interview:
I can only admire this man that never gave up, whatever the odds.
Have a nice day!
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