He is undoubtedly out on his own in his discipline, but can he now lay claim to be one of the finest field athletes of all time?

A leap of 17.71 metres saw Edwards win the event by a huge margin to make up for the disapppointment he suffered in Atlanta four years ago.

He is now Olympic champion, world champion and world record holder - but how do his brilliant achievements compare with the likes of long jumper Bob Beamon, pole vault legend Sergei Bubka and javelin star Jan Zelezny?

Send us your tributes to Britain's latest Olympic champion.

Congratulations Jonathan! This is an amazing achievement and I feel so proud even though I don't actually know you! I am old enough to remember 'Lyn The Leap' Davies (in the days when this event was called 'Hop-Step-and Jump!) and I think he should now be nick-named 'Jon the Jump'. Well done and good luck for the future. Lilian
Lilian Evans, England

Jonathan Edwards, as you said, is World Record holder, World Champion and Olympic Champion. I'm pretty sure there hasn't been a tournament he's entered when he hasn't won a medal. If he isn't one of the greats, he's pretty damn close!
Chris Myers, UK

A great win, but it does not compare with Bob Beamon's landmark achievement nor with Daley Thompsons' gold medal triumphs. If Jonathan were to repeat this performance, breaking the world record at the same time, then I would say he could be considered as one of the greats of all times; at the moment just a wonderful athlete who I am proud to acclaim as a fellow citizen and Olympic champion.
Patricia and Gabrielle Wellington-Spurr, England

I am most impressed by your achievements and moreso by your bold declaration of your faith, in a world quick to deny the true source of inspiration - God!
Baba, Nigeria

I watched Jonathon at the Olympic stadium and he is a legend. He was so humble after his victory, and came and celebrated with us. Well done Jonathan.
Tara Alexander, Australia

It was thrilling to see Jonathan finally where he belongs, on top of the gold medal podium. Congratulations! Your talent, dedication and your deep and public faith are an inspiration to many of your fans worldwide.
Nene, USA

Jonathan is simply the best role model for any aspiring athlete. He is a truly genuine guy, who uses his God-given talent to the best of his ability. He deserves all the plaudits for his achievements. He is certainly one of Britain's best!
Richard Lake, UK

Just wanted to say well done. I live in Sweden so British news is not so good, but I will admit to running around telling everyone about your gold and for that matter all the others who have made us proud of our home country. Well done you deserve it!
Anna, English living in Sweden

Wow! What are finish. Congrats, Jonathan Edwards. BBC had a section on their site inviting viewers about which athlete would shine at the Olympics. Some people will not believe this. I also saw Jonathan being interviewed in Sydney at the same time and I had this strong sense that he was going to win. So I wrote on the site something like this," Watch out world, Jonathan Edwards is coming in leaps and bounds and he will shine like the sun." What a prophetic ending. Ultimately, it would have made little difference whether you won the gold medal or not-because we know that is not going to spoil you. So, well done again. Now hang up those spikes, prop your feet up and let Mrs. Edwards spoil you rotten. But keep running that race which matters.
Sonam Lhendup, Bhutan

It was fantastic to hear that Jonathan had finally won the Olympic Gold. To have missed out last time when everyone expected him to win, with such good grace, and to still keep trying is the mark of a truly great Olympian. Listening to him describe the support he feels he has back home almost brought me to tears as it sums up exactly how I feel. Well done Jonathan.
Ann Needle, England

It is great to see a true sportsman, and a Christian win through. Well done Jonathan.
Jim Barwise, UK

I love the way he doesn't hide his Christian convictions or his personal struggles - he has real integrity and is just one of the greatest athletes ever.
Judith Robertson, France

He is definitely one of the greats. Perhaps the only thing he lacks is consistency, but when he is on, there isn't (and has never been) anyone to touch him.
Rob, USA/UK

It is good to see someone so pleasant and unaffected enjoy such success - especially since he had to compete in such trying personal circumstances.
Noel Gordon, UK

Jonathan Edwards is an athlete that Britain can be justifiably very proud of. He appears to be an unassumiing and quiet man. I hope he now gets the recognition he deserves. Well done Jonathan, your gold medal is truly well deserved.
Duncan Ashwell, England

My congratulations to Jonathan Edwards on his magnificent triumph in the Triple Jump. Jonathan, well done, and keep up the testimony for all the Christian sportsmen and women around the world who have been praying for you.
Paul Vidler, UK

He has not always performed at his best when it matters but it is a diffcult discipline and he has the world record, which shows little sign of being toppled for the foreseeable future, to go with an olympic gold. Well done.
Alastair Davis, UK

A great result for British sport from a true competitor. One of the best. Athletics is producing stars who our children should be looking up to and appreciating their dedication.
Andrew Lee, United Kingdom

Jonathan Edwards has truly made his country proud. With the likes of Jonathan, Denise, Steve and all the other hard working athletes in the British team, it is certainly going to bring home to the younger generations that they can achieve this level through determination, hard work and self belief. Well done!
Simon Ferr�, UK

His jumping achievements are worthy of credit on their own, but for the man to also be aware of the needs of people around him, puts a whole new perspective on Athletes being focused. Well done Jonathon Edwards.
Richard Cross, Belgium

I think he's the finest triple jumper the world has ever seen. However, I hear him in interviews and it sounds like he's uncomfortable with such a tag. I think in a sense he needs to have a kind of arrogance to believe in himself. At the end of the day look at Athletes such as Mauruce Greene and Michael Johnson: they are outwardly very arrogant with a soft side underneath when they win. Perhaps British athletes are too modest, but then again that is their trade mark unlike their American counterparts.
N. Edwards, Britain

He's done us all proud, and he is a true champion. If you can't quite compare him with the likes of Bubka (he hasn't completely dominated the sport to that extent) it's largely been due to injuries.
Chris Cox, UK

What a fantastic performance! This man is a great guy and has put all past dissapointments behind him and struck gold! This shows a true fighting spirit, and a champion's attitude! Well done!
Chris, England

Along with many other British Athletes at the Sydney Games, Jonathan embodies all that is best in Olympic tradition and spirit. A modest and committed sportsman, who acknowledges his family's support at every opportunity, Jonathan has earned his place as a great Olympian. It's wonderful to see his endeavours earn agold medal. Well done.
Phil Jones, Wales

Congratulations to Jonathan Edwards, a true ambassador for British sport. I hope your success can inspire a new generation of olympians.
Jonny Devaraj, UK

Great jumping under pressure. Surely he's put to bed the "choking" allegations now. With Jonathan, Denise, Steve, Katharine and Kelly I'm so proud I could burst! Also, great Olympic starts by Larry and Phillips - real medal hopes for the future.
David Randall, UK

As a former triple jumper, all I can say is that no other jumper in the world has the technique or elegance of J. Edwards. Definitely the greatest triple jumper of all time.
Jin, Yuen Yee, Singapore

What a fantastic achievement, is there anything else to win or achieve in the sport. It turns out his comment about the swimmers was true and to back that up with a gold was superb. I am truly thrilled.
Craig Rowe, England

Well done Jonathan. Those many years of hard work and dedication have paid off. Not only are you a gold medal winner, but a great Olympian also.
Colin, UK

Well done to Johnathan Edwards! At long last, British sports fans have something to be really proud about. However, it certainly seems that one of the biggest problems that Mr. Edwards, and many of our British athletes have had to suggle with in recent years is the huge amount of pressure placed upon them by our media, fuelled by an overcritical public. Hopefully, in the future, the British public will be able to show their support by helping to fund and promote new athletics schools in Britain, encouraging youngsters to become involved, rather than over-hyping our existing talent.
Chris Broadbent, England

Well done and congratulations from everyone at the Department of Epidemiology, St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London.
David Neasham, UK

Finally a deserved gold for Jonathan Edwards, surely one of the finest ambassadors for British Sport. That he should overcome a family tragedy, and still produce the best jump in the world this year speaks volumes. Many congratulations.
Peter Bailey, UK

This is fantastic news for Jonathan. Having just read his biography - this makes a wonderful final chapter.
David Fordyce, United Kingdom

Jonathan Edwards is the best triple jumper in the world today. His gold merely confirmed what all of us had known since his amazing feat in Gothenburg five years ago. Do I hear cries of a new year OBE?
James Mariner, Great Britain

It is so good to see Jonathon Edwards get a gold medal. A fantastic achievement under what must by very difficult circumsatnces for him. But it's even more encouraging to hear him admit that there are other things in his life, far more important than triple-jumping. He is an all round good guy, who knows what is really important in his life.
Jimmy, Wales

Congratulations to Jonathan! As an avid fan of the British Olympic team I just want to say how thrilling it has been to see this group of Olympians achieve such a high degree of success and glory in these games. I remember hearing about Jonathan several years ago and I watched him compete in Atlanta. Mr. Edwards is truly one of my favourite athletes of all time and I wish him continued success!
Alexander Daszewski, USA

Well for somebody who has done it at every level and has to his name the longest triple jump distance ever recorded at his age sould be given a Knighthood. He is a wonderful athlete.
Adam Morris, England

Just a quick note to congratulate you on your gold medal. I have been dashing to and from the staff room to try and find out the results. Congratulations - the UK are proud of you.
Sharon, England

He's matured late but is unquestionably the greatest triple-jumper the world has seen to date. He's also so humble and down to earth. Well done, Jonathan!
Andrew McIntyre, UK