Australia’s three-time Olympic gold medallist Jessica Fox has been ruled out of the final two stages of the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup Series after undergoing surgery.
Fox has taken to social media to reveal that she had an operation last week to remove a tumour from her kidney.
The 31-year-old stressed that the surgery went “really well”, and she was “on the mend”.
But the operation means Fox will be unable to compete in this week’s ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Tacen and next week’s ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Final in Augsburg.
Fox is the reigning ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Series champion in canoe and is leading the standings this year after winning two out of the three events. She also struck gold in the women’s kayak cross individual at the last ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Prague.
“Life update. I won’t be competing in the final World Cups over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be cheering from home instead,” Fox posted on Instagram.
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“Last week I had surgery to remove a tumour from my kidney. The surgery went really well and I’m on the mend.
“I’m super grateful to the incredible medical staff for their care and expertise – thank you Dr Mohan Arianayagam and his team, and Dr Stephen Nolan, Dr Parrapil, the amazing nurses and physios at Norwest, Dr Scott Reid, my physio Tony and psych Chris, and our Paddle Aus team for their support.
“And of course my wonderful family and friends.
“It’s been a whirlwind over the last few weeks, but I’m all good - just a couple of gnarly new scars, a bit less kidney, and a whole lot more toughness.
“I’m feeling positive, super grateful and happy to be home.
“Looking forward to taking it easy over the next few weeks as I recover, and building towards being back on the water again.”
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