After leaping to the Olympic triple jump gold medal, Jonathan Edwards was asked what, at that moment, was his biggest wish.

He did not hesitate when replying: ''To be at home with my wife.''

Edwards added: ''This is the longest time I have ever been away from my family. Alison and the boys are the most important part of my life. I've really missed them.''

Edwards will finally arrive home today after a separation of more than three weeks. When he lands at Newcastle airport a limousine will whisk him from the steps of his aircraft to his Gosforth home.

But it will still not be time for total relaxation. Later in the afternoon the Olympic champion will attend his final press conference at his Gateshead Stadium training base where he will share his triumph with sons Nathan and Sam and Alison.

Newcastle City and Gateshead Councils also plan civic receptions.

Edwards admitted: ''I shall get home and life will be a blank sheet of paper. We'll take it from there. Obviously there are certain things I will have to do. But I want to spend time with people who really matter.

''The gold medal isn't about sharing it with all and sundry, who wouldn't be interested, it's about sharing it with the people who are important to me.''

That includes his long-time manager Andy Norman, the former power-broker of British athletics who, at the beginning of 1993, claimed: ''You are looking at an athlete who will break the world record and win an Olympic title.''

Edwards said of Norman: ''He has a great deal of fondness for me and me for him, too.

''I'm delighted at what I've been able to do here. He's been a huge part of my career development. Part of this gold medal is for Andy Norman.''

Edwards said of his stunning victory: ''It's not normal for me to win competitions just through sheer guts and hard work. I normally do it through jumping brilliantly. I gave everything I'd got and I was just shattered.''

Recalling the last dark day of June at the Rome Golden League meeting when he realised his form had deserted him and his Olympic hopes might be in jeopardy, Edwards said: ''Yes, there have been downers this year.

''But God has given me a strong character, a strong determination and that has seen me through.''

l Venus Williams takes aim at double gold when she and sister Serena face Dutch duo Kristie Boogert and Miriam Oremans in the final of the women's doubles today.

Wimbledon and US Open champion Venus added an Olympic title by claiming the women's singles yesterday as she swept past Russian Elena Dementieva 6-2 6-4.

The sisters have won 32 of the 33 matches they have played together