Apple CEO Steve Jobs has been on medical leave since mid-January, but speculation began on Tuesday that he might make an appearance at Wednesday iPad 2 event.

[ad#Google Adsense 300×250 in story]As it turns out Jobs did show up for the event. He walked out on stage to a cheering crowd who gave him a standing ovation.

Jobs left Apple COO Tim Cook in charge of the daily operations at Apple, but he is still involved in the major strategic decisions, he said when he announced his medical leave. Considering he just left on leave a month ago, Jobs clearly had a big part to play in the iPad 2 design and launch.

Since taking some time off reports have emerged of Jobs being seen on Apple’s campus and that he was taking phone meetings from his home.