08 April 2016
To celebrate the release of the British comedy Eddie the Eagle this month, Optimax Eye Clinics has launched a television advert featuring the ‘Eagle’ himself, Eddie Edwards (pictured), whose unusual story inspired the film.
The former British Olympic ski jumper is played in the film by Kingsmen: The Secret Service star Taron Egerton, but in real life had lens implants at Optimax in 2003 to correct his poor vision.
The 30-second advert includes footage of Mr Edwards competing in the 1980s, and shows him displaying his trademark pink-rimmed spectacles.
He reveals how his notoriously poor eyesight made his ski-jumping dangerous: “Sometimes I could barely see anything at all with these glasses.”
“If I could have had the operation done 30 years ago – before the Calgary Olympics, it would have been wonderful,” said Mr Edwards, 52. “Having the surgery has impacted my whole life – it’s been fantastic.”
The advert is being shown on satellite and digital channels this month and can be viewed below.
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