CANOE SLALOM: Jessica Fox will write Olympic canoe slalom history when she sits at the start line in the heats of the women’s canoe single on Wednesday.
Fox, a silver medallist in London, and a bronze medallist from Rio, had to put the ‘disappointment’ of a third place in the K1 in Tokyo behind her, and she delivered when it mattered most – and in doing so entered the record books as the very first winner of the women’s C1.
She entered the C1 final as the fastest qualifier after a blistering run of 110:59 in the semi-final in oppressive conditions, and had to sit and watch as competitors posted a time to beat.
Showing the composure, she’s become known for over many years, Fox was in control of her run, to post a time of 1:05:04, a clear 3 seconds from her nearest rival, Mallory Franklin of Great Britain. German Andrea Herzog claimed the bronze medal.
The 27-year-old, for so long the face of the sport in Australia and across the globe, was cheered on by her coach and mother Myriam and sister Noemie in Tokyo, while dad Richard was in the commentary box bringing every twist and turn to Australian viewers.
With Richard and Myriam both Olympians in their own successful careers, Jessica now has the one medal to complete the special set. Australian gold.”
–Damian Kelly