Australia’s Jessica Fox fulfilled her long-held dream of winning women’s kayak Olympic gold with a peerless performance at Paris 2024.
After winning silver and two bronzes in the event at previous Games, Fox finally emerged victorious with a stunning time of 96.08 at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.
Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska captured silver, with Great Britain’s Kimberley Woods bagging the bronze medal.
Placed eighth after the semi-final, Fox pulled out all the stops in the final, making no mistakes to put her in pole position.
She then watched on nervously as paddlers failed to beat her time before victory was confirmed when defending champion Ricarda Funk of Germany received a 50-second penalty towards the end of her final run.
There was plenty of pressure on Fox as the four-time world champion in kayak, but Australia’s Opening Ceremony flagbearer delivered a terrific performance.
It is Fox’s fifth Olympic medal and second gold following her canoe title at Tokyo 2020.
Click here to find out Fox's golden rules on how to kayak
“It means everything to me right now,” said Fox.
“It’s been years and years of chasing this dream, of getting really close, persevering and picking myself back up.
“There has been a lot of teamwork, love and gratitude from everyone to help me to get here.
“Today, to feel that energy from the crowd, and also from everyone who was staying up late back home, it was just the perfect day for me.
“It didn’t start well but it finished really well and it was just magical.”
Zwolinska picked up her first Olympic medal and her country’s first of the Games after clocking a time of 97.53.
Before 2023, the Polish paddler had failed to make the podium at a major event but has now claimed world bronze, European gold and Olympic silver.
“I am proud of the fact that I won the first medal for my country and it came from Canoe Slalom,” said Zwolinska.
“It was good for me and it was very good that it happened in Paris.
“My family and friends were able to cheer me.”
Woods got off to a blistering start as she went on to cross the finish line in 98.94 for third, edging out Brazil’s Ana Satila.
“I feel absolutely proud to represent Team GB and win this medal,” said Woods.
“The crowd make it loud enough so you don’t hear what is going on.
“I tried to focus on myself. I knew that I had gone faster than my semi-final time. I was a bit frustrated with the mistake at the bottom but I went out there, gave it my all and got a result out of it.”
Funk was fastest in the semi-final and was aiming to secure back-to-back titles.
But the German paddler’s hopes were dashed when she missed the fourth from final gate.
“I was just fighting until the end, pushing until the end and hoping until the end,” said Funk.
“I didn’t realise it was a 50-second penalty. I was still thinking it was a two-second penalty so I just saw the result when I was in the finish line, then I saw the video and then I had to agree that it was a 50.”
Italy’s Stefanie Horn ranked fifth, with home favourite Camille Prigent finishing in sixth position.
