'Eddie the Eagle' soars into Calgary to support 2026 Olympic bid at rally

Those making the case for Calgary to host the 2026 Winter Olympic Games are about to get a boost from the unlikely star of the 1988 Olympics.

The unlikely fan favourite of the 1988 Olympics is throwing his support behind the bid

Sarah Rieger CBC News Posted: Nov 04, 2018 3:13 PM EST | Last Updated: November 6, 2018

Michael (Eddie the Eagle) Edwards is pictured in mid-flight at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary. (Bob Thomas/Getty Images)

Those making the case for Calgary to host the 2026 WinterGames are about to get a boost from the unlikely star of the 1988 Olympics.

By mid-afternoon Sunday, British ski jumper "Eddie 'the Eagle" Edwards was set to land in Calgary, with Team Canada athletes Michelle Salt, Valerie Maltais and Jordan Belchos welcoming him at the airport.

He'll be joining some of his fellow Olympians, as well as 1988 mascots Hidy and Howdy, at a Yes Calgary 2026 rally to share stories and promote the bid at noon onMonday.

Canadian Olympians expected to attend include gold-medal sprinter Donovan Bailey and multi-medal-winning hockey player Cassie Campbell-Pascall.

Ice dancing duo Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who won gold at this year's Winter Olympics, are to make an appearance by video.

'Eddie the Eagle' Edwards was all smiles after landing six jumps at WinSport in Calgary in 2017. (Julien Lecacheur/CBC)

Michael Edwards was the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping.

His underdog story made him a crowd favourite and won the hearts of fans worldwide. In 2016, a biopic depicted his determined efforts to compete.

Eddie the Eagle trailer shows tree-covered mountains at Calgary's Canada Olympic Park

Eddie 'the Eagle' recreates Calgary Olympic glory with first ski jumps in decades

"I hope they do go for another Olympics and I hope they win the bid because I think the Calgary Olympics were the best Olympics. And if they can have the Olympics again, I think it will be even better. I might even jump, you never know," Edwards told CBCNews at WinSportlast year, 30 years after hefinisheddead last in the 70- and 90-metre events.

Calgarianswill vote in a non-binding plebiscite on Nov. 13 to determine the bid's future, with advance polls open on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Calgary council votes to revive Olympic bid from near-death

LIVE EVENT: CBC Calgary Olympic Games Plebiscite Town Hall

If you live in Calgary, find out what you need to know before you cast your vote in the Nov. 13 plebiscite by tuning in to the CBC Calgary Olympic Games Plebiscite Town Hall.

Featuring a knowledgeable panel and hosted by theCalgary Eyeopener'sDavidGray, we will hear from both sides and take questions from the audience. Panellists include:

Calgary 2026 CEO Mary Moran.
Yes Calgary 2026 organizer JasonRibeiro.
Coun. EvanWoolley, chair of city council's Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games assessment committee.
Economist TrevorTombe.

It'll take place at Calgary's new Central Library (800 3rd St. S.E.) on Wednesday, Nov. 7, starting at 6 p.m. All of the reserved tickets have been claimed, although there will be rush seating available at 6:15 p.m. as capacity allows.

Didn't get a ticket? Never fear, you can tune in by:

Joining our Facebook Live atfacebook.com/cbccalgary, where you can ask questions and post comments.
Watching the Facebook Live on ourregular websiteand app.
Listening in on CBC Radio One (99.1 FM or 1010 AM in Calgary), atcbc.ca/calgaryor your CBC Radio App from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. MT.

Read more articles byCBC Calgary, like us onFacebookfor updates and subscribe to ourCBC Calgary newsletterfor the day's news at a glance

With files from The Canadian Press

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News

Corrections and clarifications|Submit a news tip|

'Eddie the Eagle' soars into Calgary to support 2026 Olympic bid at rally

The unlikely fan favourite of the 1988 Olympics is throwing his support behind the bid

LIVE EVENT: CBC Calgary Olympic Games Plebiscite Town Hall

Related Stories