Richard Fox humorously reflected on the absurdity of the situation, confessing that following his youngest daughter’s gold medal victory in kayak cross on Monday, he is now the sole family member without an Olympic medal.
He was close, finishing fourth in the kayak singles for Great Britain at the Barcelona Games in 1992, just 33 hundredths of a second shy of the bronze. His wife, Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi, secured a bronze medal for France in the same event at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Yet, in a week filled with remarkable achievements, his daughters Noémie and Jess have both surpassed their parents’ accomplishments. Jess had already made history as a four-time Olympian and is now the holder of three individual gold medals, matching the record for any Australian athlete.
Noémie’s victory on Monday was a standout moment. After she won the same heat that eliminated Jess the day before, Myriam playfully quipped that if she had to choose one daughter to proceed, it would be the youngest. “I would send Jess home and let Noémie shine in that event; she delivered an extraordinary race,” she remarked.
Despite their seemingly close bond, Noémie confessed that they don’t always get along. “Some moments frustrate me, like when she commented on my initial heat this week,” Noémie recounted. “She said, ‘oh, you’ve got a good heat,’ but it was actually the toughest heat. I felt like slapping her.”
Born in Marseille three years after Jess, Noémie has dedicated years to the sport. Before 2024, her most significant achievement was securing a bronze in the canoe singles at the under-23 world championships. She then clinched a silver at the Canoe Slalom World Cup in Prague in June, earning her place at the Paris Games.
This discipline, debuting in the 2024 Olympics, takes inspiration from Super Mario Kart on rapids and allows for two competitors from the same country. Noémie’s successful run ensured that Australia, and the Fox family, would secure another Olympic spot.
Following her victory over Jess on Sunday, Noémie continued her winning streak. In the quarter-finals, she dominated her competitors. In the semi-finals, finishing last at the first gate, she quickly took the lead, navigating the upstream gate while others went in the opposite direction. In the finals, she executed her strategy flawlessly, maintaining an unassailable lead.
After the event, everyone remarked on how deserving Noémie was of her victory. They praised her bravery for continuing in a sport where success had previously eluded her.
Richard Fox expressed admiration for his daughter’s perseverance, considering the challenge of competing alongside Jess, whose dominance made Olympic qualification seem daunting. “Having Jess around has always made it feel like there was no place for Noémie. It’s been a tough journey, but her ability to reframe that challenge speaks volumes,” he noted.
The defining moment came when Jess joyfully jumped into the water to celebrate Noémie’s win, drenched and emotional, embodying the spirit of a true champion.
“There will always be a shadow,” Noémie reflected after her race. “She is the greatest in our sport, and that was a tough reality for me to accept when I started. I often thought I lacked what I needed to succeed.”
“Family members would say, ‘oh, you do that too.’ But watching her excel was a privilege and an inspiration. Her belief in me pushed me to pursue my goals,” she added.
Now, Noémie has also begun to cast her own shadow. Myriam wisely pointed out that despite Jess’s accolades, Noémie will be remembered as the first Olympic gold medallist in the kayak cross category. “It’s often about Jess, but in the end, Noémie wrote her own narrative and made history in our sport,” she concluded.
On Monday, just like the past week, the Fox family stood at the center of the Olympic spotlight, undeniably the story of the Australian games. Even Noémie’s partner and coach, Titouan Dupras, was given media attention, stating she truly showcased her capabilities.
While the celebration belonged to the entire family, Noémie truly shone that day. “This is my moment, and it’s my medal,” she said with a wide smile. “We’re leaving with three gold medals in the family, which is unbelievable.”
