WHO IS JESS FOX?
Jess Fox is a French-born, Australian canoeist who has won multiple gold medals in World Championship events.
The 27-year-old Fox is vying for her first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, after she won silver and bronze at the London and Rio Games in 2012 and 2016.
Fox races out of Penrith, NSW.
JESS FOX WINS GOLD IN INAUGURAL WOMEN'S C-1 AT TOKYO OLYMPICS
Jess Fox has taken out the inaugural Women's C1 event in Tokyo to claim her first Olympic gold medal.
After narrowly missing out on the Women's K1 on Tuesday, Fox clearly came back with a point to prove.
With a time of 108.68 to beat, Fox flew down the course and didn't make a single error in the final.
She crossed the line in a time of 1.05.04.
JESS FOX AT TOKYO OLYMPIC GAMES
Jess Fox will compete in two events - the women's slalom K1 and the women's slalom C1.
The semi-final and final for the K1 event will take place on Tuesday afternoon, while the heats for the C1 event begin on Wednesday.
JESS FOX OPENS UP ON TOKYO HEATS PERFORMANCE
On whether she made a statement with her fastest time in heats:
“It wasn’t the goal," she said.
"The goal was to paddle freely and enjoy that second run, knowing I had done enough for the first run, so I felt really good. A bonus was improving the time.
“I don’t know why it took me so long to react afterwards, as I should be waving to everybody back home. So apologies for that.
"I didn’t quite realise I had gone into the lead and in such a good time, so that is why I sort of stopped paddling, because I thought I don’t have to sprint for this one.”
On tiredness:
“I am tired. It is a physical course and in this weather, in this heat, my heart rate soars," she said.
"It is a physically demanding race with the weather conditions and the water being so warm, so it is just about taking it step by step and run by run.”
On expectations in Australia:
“Well, it is good that I am not in Australia watching the broadcast," she said.
"It is a privilege, and I am so proud to be part of the Australian team. We have got an amazing vibe in the Olympic Village and it is just amazing to finally be here after five years.”
On the possibility of a typhoon:
“Yes, I am a bit concerned about that," she said.
"I saw the surfers and they were all excited about the weather, which isn’t ideal for us. We will manage, we will see.”
On the hot water:
“It is like a bath. It is like paddling in bathwater," she said.
"It is beautiful, it is an amazing venue, but the water is really quite warm, so it is all about the ice baths and the ice towels and as much ice as possible.
“I mean it gets pretty warm in Penrith in Australia, but this is the warmest by far, for me.”
HAS JESS FOX COMPETED AT THE OLYMPICS BEFORE?
Yes, Fox has competed at two Olympic Games in the past.
In her first appearance at an Olympics back in 2012, she won a silver medal in the K1 event in London.
Four years later, Fox claimed a bronze medal at the Rio Games.
JESS FOX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD
Fox has won a grand total of fifteen medals at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, including:
- Ten golds (C1: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018; K1: 2014, 2017, 2018; C1 team: 2013, 2015, 2019)
- Three silvers (C1: 2019, K1: 2019, C1 team: 2017)
- Two bronzes (C1: 2010, K1 team: 2017).
Fox's seven gold medals across the individual events make her the most successful paddler - male or female - in World Championship history.
HOW MANY WORLD CUP EVENTS HAS JESS FOX WON?
Fox has a terrific record in World Cups, finishing in first place on 32 occasions across C1 and K1 events.
Her most recent efforts in Prague and Markkkleeburg earlier this year saw her finish in first place in both C1 and K1.
