Woodward still not laughing at Eddie the Eagle

By Gerard Meagher, Sportsbeat

SIR Clive Woodward believes the legacy of Eddie Edwards has too long overshadowed British medal efforts at the Winter Olympics.

NO JOKE: Eddie Edwards holds court with the media at the 1988 Olympics in Calgary. The subject of new film starring Steve Coogan - his shadow still looms over Great Britain's Winter Olympians claims Woodward (Getty Images)

Edwards was one of the faces of the 1988 Olympics in Calgary, finishing last in the ski-jumping events but making himself a worldwide celebrity in the process.

However, as the British Olympic Association ratchet up their planning for next year's Games in Vancouver, head of performance Woodward, England's World Cup winning rugby coach in 2003, is still not amused.

"We put the Eddie the Eagle image behind us because to be brutally honest it has not done any good to Olympic sport in this country - summer or winter," he said.

"Looking back now it is something we have to move on from and the only way to move on from that is by being successful.

"People used to joke about it but we have some outstanding athletes."

Great Britain head to Vancouver with more genuine medal chances than ever before.

Nicola Minichiello and Gillian Cooke won gold at the bobsleigh World Championships while both Shelley Rudman - a silver medallist in Turin - and Amy Williams have enjoyed a succession of skeleton podiums at World Cup, European Championship and World Championship level.

Snowboarder Zoe Gillings has won two World Cup bronzes this season while David Murdoch's men's curling team won the European title and ice dancers Sinead and John Kerr won bronze at the recent European Championships.

However, breaking with the traditions of Simon Clegg, the BOA's former chef de mission, Woodward is not making any predictions.

"All you want from any athlete or coach from any sport is for them to go there and to deliver their best ever performance," he said.

"If people do that then there's a good chance we will come away with some medals. We have to concentrate on performance and PBs. If people do that then the medal table takes care of itself.

"You will never get a medal forecast from me. We have seen what's happened in the Bobsleigh and skeleton and there are some really exciting prospects. It could be a really successful Games and we are just all looking forward to it now. 

And Woodward claimed that cash isn't the only way to secure success, hailing Kristian Bromley's appliance of science as a key behind Great Britain's skeleton success.

"Money's important but it is not a guarantee of success and sometimes I think some people make too much of that side things," he said.

"You can still win by being smarter and more creative than other people and I would put Kristian right at the top of that.

"He is so passionate about his sport and it is fantastic what he is doing. He has had some support from UK Sport but it is done to him - his sheer drive and passion that has delivered it.

"We can support that now and make sure we help him deliver in Vancouver."

Meanwhile, today's appointment of BOA chief executive Andy Hunt as chef de mission - or team leader - has surprised many.

Hunt - the former head of Reliance Security - has no major Games or sporting event experience and has appointed four senior managers in a new-look structure.

Woodward, the BOA's Head of Performance, will be Deputy Chef de Mission (performance) while experienced Games hand Mark England will be Deputy Chef de Mission responsible for logistics.

Mike Hay - who coached Great Britain to women's curling gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games - will be responsible for the preparation camp in Calgary while new commercial director Hugh Chambers also has a role in the set-up.

It had been thought Hunt would take less pro-active role during Games time but BOA Lord Monynihan defended the appointment.

"Andy has selected a capable and motivated team and he is the right man to lead it," he said.

"As chief executive he has already delivered clear direction and a new level of professionalism to the BOA."

DANIEL SCHOFIELD