Jess Fox’s mother experienced an unexpected encounter with an Olympic official just moments after her superstar daughter secured a victory in the C1 canoe final on Wednesday.
The remarkable paddler is now included among Australia’s greatest Olympians, having made history with a stunning gold medal in the C1 slalom event.
And it’s certainly well-deserved.
Following her groundbreaking win in the K1 category, Fox delivered another impressive performance at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium’s whitewater course on Wednesday.
Her parents, Richard and Myriam, were ecstatic about her performance—so much so that Myriam nearly knocked an official into the water as she celebrated.
In her overwhelming excitement, she jumped up and down, waving her arms, accidentally making contact with the official before quickly apologizing and rushing off to embrace her daughter.
Fox has now become the first Australian athlete to earn six individual Olympic medals, surpassing other swimming legends like Shane Gould, Ian Thorpe, Leisel Jones, sprinter Shirley Strickland, and the current chef de mission, cyclist Anna Meares, each of whom has five medals.
Ariarne Titmus also joined this elite group after winning her fifth individual medal in Paris.
Jessica Fox (pictured) won her second gold medal at the Paris Olympics, claiming back-to-back titles in C1 canoe slalom
Fox’s mum Myriam was so excited by the result that she collided with an official (pictured)
‘They’ve (records) never seemed achievable, or even something I could possibly dream about,’ Fox remarked, now recognized as the most decorated Olympian in her sport.
‘Each Olympic experience has been quite different—some have been amazing, while others have had their disappointments, and this one is just magical.’
‘To be mentioned alongside some of Australia’s greatest champions in Olympic history is something I can hardly comprehend.’
At 30 years old, the Sydney athlete aims for even more history, seeking a golden treble in Paris as she endeavors to join Gould, who achieved this feat in 1972, as the only Australians to secure three individual golds at a single Olympics.
With the new canoe cross event added to the 2024 program, the France-born Fox is the frontrunner to accomplish this rare milestone on Monday.
Kaylee McKeown could potentially beat her to it, competing for gold in the 100m backstroke, defending her 200m backstroke title on Friday, and competing in the 200m individual medley on Saturday after adding that event to her Paris roster.
Fox now has a chance to make it three gold medals in the kayak event later in Paris
As the most successful female athlete in canoe slalom history, Fox boasts three golds, one silver, and two bronzes from four Olympic appearances since her debut in London 2012.
Like her commanding win in Tokyo, when C1 was introduced to the program, Fox dominated the competition.
Germany’s former world champion Elena Lilik set the benchmark with a clean run time of 103.54 seconds.
Fox, going second to last on the course, delivered a blistering run finishing at 101.06 seconds, including a two-second penalty for a gate clip.
She immediately realized she had accomplished something remarkable, expressing her joy by slamming the water with her hands.
‘I was simply proud of that run… I felt I gave my all today,’ Fox stated.
‘I can’t wait to review the footage… those kayak and canoe runs represent moments I’m truly proud of.
‘I think the mental state I was in, how calm I felt despite the pressure and expectations, all contributed, especially with Elena Lilik setting a time that was two seconds quicker than in the semi-finals, which was already quite fast.
‘To maintain that composure is such a rewarding feeling as an athlete—after all the training, being able to execute it when it counts is what we strive for every four years.’
When her victory was officially confirmed after Czech competitor Gabriela Satkova completed her run, Fox was enveloped by her mother and coach Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi, along with her younger sister Noemie, who is set to compete in the kayak cross.
Young American Evy Leibfarth secured the bronze with a time of 109.95 seconds.
