Jess Fox, the world’s leading slalom canoeist, is on the brink of making history at the Paris Olympics. With the inclusion of canoe cross in the 2024 program, the French-born Australian is a favorite to win three gold medals at a single Games. Achieving this feat would place her alongside Shane Gould, who remains the only Australian athlete to win three individual gold medals at one Olympics, a record set in 1972.
A Champion’s Legacy
Fox is the reigning Olympic champion in the C1 canoe and has also secured a silver and two bronze medals in the K1 kayak across three Games. Last year, she clinched gold in the K1 at the world championships in London, boosting her record to 14 world titles, including the 2022 win in kayak cross.
In June, Fox became the first athlete to win three individual golds in a single weekend at a World Cup in Krakow. She expressed immense pride in her performance, noting the confidence boost from her clean run in the K1 race, which set the tone for her victories in canoe and kayak cross events.
Family Rivalry and Competition
In Paris, Fox will compete against her younger sister, Noemie, in the kayak cross event. The sisters hope to avoid being drawn into the same heat. The event features a steep ramp into the water, where competitors jostle for position using their paddles and must complete a 360-degree Eskimo roll before finishing.
Fox acknowledges the unpredictability of the kayak cross due to its head-to-head nature. Despite her strong track record, she understands that decision-making and luck play significant roles in this dynamic event.
Coaching and Heritage
Fox is coached by her French mother, Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi, an Olympic bronze medalist. Feeling at home in France, she moved her training base to Paris after Poland. While her loyalty remains with Australia, she appreciates the growing support from French locals.
Fox’s father, Richard, a British-born former Olympic canoeist and successful coach, adds to her rich sporting lineage. Embracing her dual heritage, Fox is ready to captivate audiences at the Paris Olympics.
