When Noemie Fox crossed the finish line first in the women’s kayak cross final, it capped a dream Paris 2024 Olympics for her and her family.
After watching her sister, Jessica Fox, capture the kayak and canoe golds, Noemie delivered a stunning victory that will live long in the memory.
Jessica and their mother and coach Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi jumped into the water to celebrate with Noemie, creating unforgettable scenes.
“It was the most incredible, possible outcome,” said Noemie.
“I think if we had read the end of the story before the Games, we never would have believed it.
“We were so ready, excited, and happy to be there, with such a great mindset, and we were hungry to race and be on that start line.
“Watching Jess achieve her goals and achieve that level of success was amazing.
“I let myself enjoy all of those emotions as a sister and then she supported me until the end so to watch her have her moment and then have my moment, it’s hard to find the words.”
It was a fairytale finish to the Games as Noemie had never previously won an individual senior world title and had booked her place at Paris 2024 when she placed second in the Global Kayak Cross Olympic Qualifier in Prague in June.
Noemie says she still finds herself flicking through her photos from the Olympics and looking adoringly at her gold medal.
“It’s hard to believe that it was nearly two months ago and it is now all becoming memories,” said the 27-year-old.
“I don’t know how we recovered from Paris as it was the most magical experience of my life.
“I think I have accepted that nothing will ever be as magical and incredible as that Olympic Games - not only the result but the whole experience.
“We made the most of it, we enjoyed it and relished every success and all those small moments.
“It was such a magical experience to have lived those highs and those sporting success moments.
“As an athlete, you dream about doing your best and when that just all happens and unravels perfectly, it’s the most incredible thing and it’s hard to recover and let that sink in.”
The Fox sisters have been experiencing a new level of stardom in Australia after their victories in Paris, with Jessica becoming a three-time Olympic champion and Noemie marking her debut with gold.
They received further attention last week when it was announced that an island would be named after them.
The “Fox Island” is located at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium which was built for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and will stage next year’s International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships.
The announcement was made when the State and Federal Governments revealed that they would invest AUD$3.2 million in the staging of the flagship event.
“That story is kind of going viral,” said Noemie.
“I can’t wait to have a home World Championships and in recognition, they named the middle of the whitewater course after us.
“In the summer it’s not the place to be because it is covered in bindii which are the spiky things that you can’t walk cross but it is a nice recognition by the Government.”
With Jessica staying at home, Noemie now arrives in Ivrea dealing with the pressure as an Olympic champion.
Noemie will participate at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup which is the first to be held since the Games in Paris – and she is relishing the challenge of competing across the kayak, canoe and kayak cross competitions.
“I have never had the weight of being the one to beat and the pressure of having a title hanging around my neck,” said Noemie.
“I wouldn’t say I was done after the Olympics as I have goals to achieve and doing three disciplines so back to doing canoe, kayak and kayak cross which will be a challenge in itself.
“The World Cups are so important and the World Championships as well.
“There is so much to look forward to and still so many goals I want to achieve in the sport.
“Sport is very humbling so you can be put back into your place straight away.
“I am enjoying the post-Paris high even though we are back on the start line.”
For the competition schedule, click here.
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