During 1996 Edwards went into the Olympic games as favorite and world record holder . But it was American Kenny Harrison who took the gold with a jump of 18.09 m. Edwards walked away with the silver after a leap of 17.88 m ( the longest ever jump not to win gold ) . During 1996 Edwards went into the Olympic Games as favorite and world record holder , but it was American Kenny Harrison who took the gold with a jump of 18.09 m. Edwards walked away with the silver after a leap of 17.88 m ( the longest ever jump not to win gold ) .