closeicon
Sport

Fox vows to come again in 2020

articlemain

Jessica Fox has vowed to return for the 2020 Olympics in a bid to end her wait for a gold medal.

The Australian put in a storming display to win a bronze medal in the women's K1 kayak competition.

The 22-year-old picked up a two-second penalty in the final but was still able to clock a time of 102.49 on her way to winning another Olympic medal.

She won silver four years ago in London but this time had to settle for third in Rio.

She said: "The dream was the gold medal but I will have to return in four years' time. My mother, being my coach, has been through the whole ride. My father also.

“But I'm more motivated than ever. I was the fittest I’ve ever been and I was paddling the best I’ve ever been paddling. It’s really encouraging and motivating.

“Four years is a long time, but a lot happened between London and Rio and I’m looking forward to it. That’s one of my best events as well.

“It's frustrating to have to wait four years and not go out there and do it again.

“That’s what makes it exciting too. You’ve still got a lot to improve on. It’s a good thing in a way that I didn’t win the gold medal because now what?

“This is motivating and I’m definitely hungry for Tokyo.”

Fox produced one of the surprises of the 2012 London Games as the 18-year-old paddled to silver in the K1 event, outgunning all but one of her more experienced rivals.

She had high hopes of going one better than her exploits.

But this time found Luuka Jones of New Zealand and Spain's gold medallist Maialen Chourraut standing in her way, even though during the medal ceremony officials appeared to muddle up the two similar flags, raising Australia's to the second place on the pole - above New Zealand.

Fox's pedigree in the sport runs in the family.

Younger sister Noemie, 18, will also have gold in her sights given the C1 discipline will also be rubber-stamped for the 2020 Olympics.

Her parents are both Olympians. Her father, Richard, competed for Great Britain in the K1 at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, finishing fourth and was a 5-time World Champion.

Fox's mother, Myriam, competed for France at the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, winning bronze in Atlanta in the K1.

Share via

Want more from the JC?

To continue reading, we just need a few details...

Want more from
the JC?

To continue reading, we just
need a few details...

Get the best news and views from across the Jewish world Get subscriber-only offers from our partners Subscribe to get access to our e-paper and archive