ASM: Which would have won a gold medal?
JE: At any other Olympic Games that would have pretty much won a gold medal and I had come up against Kenny Harrison who was in the most phenomenal shape who jumped 18.09m, which still stands as the Olympic Record. I was disappointed not to win but I felt I had jumped well on the day, but the pressure certainly played a part on me. I struggled to perform earlier in the competition and I only really got into it after 3 rounds.
ASM: Did you feel you would have to win a gold medal before you retired or you just felt well let’s see what happens?
JE: I had been the world record holder for a number of years and if you like it had been an outstanding world record. It is now 16 years since then and I did feel pres- sure and did not want to be the man who never won the Olympic title and could not deal with pressure. I did feel the pressure but I was philosophical. I lost in Atlanta and lost a couple of World Championships, since then so I knew there was no guaran- tee. I just went out to see what happens and fortunately I managed to win. It would have been hard to retire without an Olympic title.
ASM: Which would you say is more life changing - the World Record or the Olympic gold medal?
JE: It is a tough question. I have to say it is a mixture of both. People remember me most because of my world record but I think without an Olympic gold medal it would take some of the shine off. It is difficult to separate them. If it was on athletic perform- ance I think it would be the world record. It was more exhilarating and it is about what you do as an athletes. But with the impact now I think it is both of them together.
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