Newly-elected International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission (AC) member Jessica Fox says she is approachable and hopes that athletes feel comfortable speaking to her with their concerns.
The three-time Olympic Canoe Slalom champion had a dream Games at Paris 2024, winning the canoe-kayak double, before seeing her sister Noemie Fox scripting history by capturing the first-ever kayak cross title as the discipline debuted at the level.
For the next eight years, culminating at the home Games in Brisbane in 2032, the Australian will also wear the hat of an athlete representative, hoping to make a difference.
“As an Aussie, it makes me extremely proud to be able to raise the issues that are important to athletes on the road to Brisbane 2032, as we move first towards Milano Cortina 2026, and then LA 2028 and French Alps 2030. I want to make sure the athlete experience is as good as it can be, before, during and after the Games,” she was quoted as saying by Olympics.com.
Thanking all those who voted for her, Fox said that the role of an IOC AC member is both an “honour” and “privilege”.
Having already worked with the IOC AC and the Australian Olympic Committee’s AC, Fox is no stranger to the responsibilities that come with the role and assured that all decisions concerning athletes will be made after consulting them, to make sure their voice is heard.
“I’m a really good listener, I’m approachable, and I hope you feel comfortable coming to me with your questions, your issues and your solutions. I’m fortunate enough to have previously been an appointed member of the IOC AC, so I believe I’m in a position to communicate these well to the other members.”
Fox was thrilled to see that three of the four newly-elected members - USA track athlete Allyson Felix and German gymnast Kim Bui - are women. The fourth was tennis player Marcus Daniell of New Zealand.
She congratulated all those who contested the elections and stressed the need to continue working together to improve the Olympic experience for all the athletes.
“Other important issues to me within the Olympic Movement that we continue to highlight are sustainability, athlete welfare and safeguarding mental health, which is more relevant than ever,” she told Olympics.com
“Athletes at the heart of the Movement can continue to lead, on and off the field of play, and I look forward to working with you over the next eight years.”
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