Australia’s Jessica Fox has become the most successful Canoe Slalom paddler in Olympic history after completing a canoe-kayak double at Paris 2024.  

After capturing the women’s K1 title on Sunday, Fox pulled off a stunning performance to retain the women’s C1 crown today.  

It is her third Olympic gold, adding to her canoe success at Tokyo 2020, to match France’s Tony Estanguet who is the only other paddler to have achieved three individual titles in slalom.  

Fox also sits on six Olympic medals, moving ahead of Slovakian great Michal Martikan who has five.  

 “I have never thought about those records,” said Fox.  

“They have never felt attainable or even something that I could possibly dream about it.  

“Each Olympic experience has been very different, some have been brilliant and others have been a bit disappointing.  

“This is just magical.  

“To be named among some of Australia’s great champions in Olympic history, I can’t believe it.  

“And in our sport it is very special to follow in the footsteps of Tony Estanguet and Michal Martikan as I grew up watching them.  

“I’m also very proud to be doing it as a woman.”  

Germany’s Elena Lilik and United States ace Evy Leibfarth both picked up their first Olympic medal, securing silver and bronze respectively after a thrilling final at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.  

There was no stopping Fox as she powered down the course, showing great tenacity and technique to navigate the gates.  

Lilik had put down an impressive time of 103.54 – six seconds quicker than the next best paddler Leibfarth – but Fox was too strong for the rest of the field, taking the title in 101.06.  

Fox is the first slalom paddler to win two golds at one Olympic Games.  

“To be able to stay composed is the coolest feeling as an athlete,” said Fox.  

“When you have worked so hard as an athlete in training, to be able to pull it off when it matters is what we all work towards.  

“The fact that I did it twice is a credit to the hard work that we have put in.”  

Seventh fastest in the semi-final, Lilik produced a scintillating run to take a medal.  

After the disappointment of Ricarda Funk’s 50-second penalty in the women’s kayak final and two-time Olympic medallist Sideris Tasiadis missing out on a men’s canoe medal, Lilik delivered joy to Germany.  

“It feels unreal and super exciting,” said Lilik, the 2021 world champion.  

“The crowd was crazy.   

“There were so many Germans here screaming my name, I got goosebumps.”  

 “I was so happy with my run and so proud.   

“I just went for it and had no fear.   

“All of those emotions came out at the finish line.”  

Leibfarth only snuck into the final after taking the last spot available but seized her opportunity when it mattered most.  

Learning from her mistakes, Leibfarth produced a superb run, finishing eight seconds quicker than she managed in the semi-final.  

It was a superb response as she crossed in 109.95 to secure a place on the Olympic podium for the first time.  

Her medal was confirmed after Czechia’s Gabriela Satkova, who posted the quickest semi-final time, crossed the finish line in seventh after registering a two-second penalty for a touch on gate two.  

“It seems crazy that I’m an Olympic medallist,” said Leibfarth.  

“I’m able to be here with my family. My dad is my coach and my mom is here and all of my best friends. It’s just so special to know that everyone who’s been a part of this journey is here for this moment.  

“It’s so special that everyone who has been part of the journey is here for this moment.   

“It’s not just my medal, it is everyone’s medal who has been there for the journey.”