Jonathan Edwards spoke about the lasting nature of his world record

• Jonathan Edwards believes that his 30-year-old record reflects the problems in athletics.
• Athletes are choosing different types of sports due to better financial opportunities.
• Investments in athletics are decreasing, which affects youth participation.

The holder of the world record in triple jump Jonathan Edwards expressed doubts regarding the positivity of the fact that his record has stood for 30 years. He believes that this does not indicate progress in athletics.

Edwards set the record at 18.29 m at the World Championships on September 7, 1995, in Gothenburg, and remains the only British record holder in athletics disciplines that are regularly contested. He noted that the absence of new records is a negative sign for the sport, especially considering the development of sports science and technology.

In 2025, the world leader, Yendri Dias, jumped only 17.80 m, which clearly demonstrates that the level of competition in the triple jump does not meet current standards. Edwards emphasized that young athletes are increasingly choosing different types of sports due to better financial opportunities.

According to his words, investments and participation in athletics are declining, while awards for achievements in such disciplines as jumps do not correspond to the earnings from competitions on the track. This, according to Edwards, is the reason for the lasting nature of his record – only three other records in athletics have lasted this long.

The closest attempt to break his record belongs to American Christian Taylor, who jumped 18.21 m in 2015. However, according to Edwards, even with modern technologies in footwear that can assist in jumping disciplines, their impact on jumping is insignificant.

Edwards also shared that while he enjoys writing about his achievements, it will be difficult for him when his record is broken. "This was part of my life for so long. It would be quite symbolic if it happened," he noted.

Tags: Sport