Jackie Edwards

Jackie Edwards is a five-time Olympian and one of the most accomplished track and field athletes from The Bahamas, specializing in the long jump. Edwards first represented The Bahamas at the Olympics and competed in five consecutive Games, a distinction achieved by only one other athlete in her event. Ranked as high as fifth in the world, she also served as Olympic team captain twice and contributed to establishing The Bahamas as a prominent nation in international track and field.

Edwards developed her athletic career at Stanford University, where she earned a full athletic scholarship. She became a two-time NCAA champion and a five-time All-American, holding the outdoor Stanford records for the long jump and triple jump, and contributing to the university's 4x100 relay record. Her personal best in the long jump is 6.80 meters, achieved in San Jose. On the international stage, Edwards earned a Commonwealth Games silver medal, a Pan American Games silver medal, and was a finalist at multiple editions of both competitions. She competed in a record nine World Championships and was a medalist in the Central American and Caribbean Championships. Edwards also held the Bahamian national records in both the long jump and triple jump.

Edwards graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and later earned a master's degree in sport psychology from John F. Kennedy University. She was inducted into the Stanford University Athletic Hall of Fame.

After retiring from competition, Edwards worked as a certified personal trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine, coaching and consulting in sport psychology for athletes at various levels. She transitioned into event planning, serving as a project and special events coordinator in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at California State University, Northridge. Edwards also founded Gold Medal Home Staging & Design, a full-service home staging business.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Edwards is a motivational speaker and mental health advocate. She has delivered presentations globally, drawing on her experiences in athletics to address topics such as leadership, peak performance, and overcoming adversity. Edwards is a member of WISE Los Angeles (Women in Sports + Events) and a minority owner in a sports agency. She has traveled to more than 50 countries, sharing insights on resilience, reinvention, and the pursuit of new challenges in sports and beyond.