Australia’s Jess Fox has finally won the elusive gold medal she’s always dreamed about as her proud dad became choked up with emotion in a television studio back home.
The three-time Olympian from western Sydney qualified fastest for the women’s C1 final at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday, two days after claiming bronze in the K1 event where she was the raging hot favourite.
Fox, 27, was last down the course in the first and only run in the final, clocking a time of 105.04 seconds, more than three seconds faster than the rest of the field.
Proud dad Richard, a former Olympian and world champion was commentating for Channel Seven back in Australia, where he became caught up in the emotion.
He managed to muster a ‘wow’ and wiped away tears as he described his daughter’s performance as beautiful.
He was able to speak to his daughter live on air after the gold medal ceremony.
‘I love you, I love you, through the finish and beyond the finish, that was amazing. I was crying too,’ he told her.
Jess Fox has won Australia’s eighth gold medal of the Tokyo Olympics after she won the C1 final
Fox replied: ‘I love you too. I can’t hear everything but, thank you for all the love, the support, the messages.
‘I can’t wait to show you this one dad!’
Her dad celebrated the victory with a glass of champagne in the studio.
‘It’s unbelievable,’ Richard said.
‘I mean it’s the C1 event, the first time in the Games. It’s the race she had to win.
‘But, like, so many reasons and the pressure – you know, we talk about pressure – you know, we talk about pressure.
‘I think what happened in the K1 final shattered her. To come back from that to recompose herself. She wasn’t at her best in the heats. Yeah, that was so good.’
He later admitted his emotions got the better of him.
‘Look, I had a little cry, I will be honest.
‘I was quiet. I was just stunned and amazed because you just don’t know what’s going to unfold.
Jess Fox’s proud dad Richard fought back tears as he watched her run back home in the Channel Seven studio
Australia’s Jess Fox reacts after winning that elusive gold medal in the C1 women’s final
Fox screamed in excitement when she crossed the line and was still in her canoe when she was embraced by her mum Myriam and sister Noemie moments later.
Fox later revealed the nerves almost got the better of her before the final run.
‘Twenty minutes before the final I went in and I said ‘I feel good, but I just went and threw up!’ she told Channel Seven’s Mel McLaughlin.
It’s Australia’s eighth gold medal in Tokyo in an event that is making its Olympic debut.
Fox previously won silver as a teenager at the 2012 Olympics in London and bronze at the 2016 Olympics in Rio in the K1 event
She started the K1 final on Tuesday as the raging hot favourite but had to settle for bronze due to a late error.
Jessica Fox (left) celebrates with her mum and coach Myriam (right) after the gold medal ceremony
Jessica Fox screams in ecstasy after finishing three second faster than the rest of the field in the C1 women’s final
She completed the medal set two days later.
‘This medal is the most special I think, for so many reasons and to be the first Olympic gold medalist in this event’ Fox said.
‘It’s been a tough few days mentally and emotionally.
‘I’m just over the moon to put down a run that I was proud of.’
‘I’m sure we’ve inspired a lot of people along the way.’
Mallory Franklin from Great Britain won silver while reigning world champion Andrea Herzog from Germany won bronze.
Her father competed for Great Britain in the K1 at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, finishing fourth and was a five-time world champion.
Jessica Fox shares her success with mum Myriam, who won bronze for France at the Atlanta Olympics. Jess was two-years-old at the time
Fox’s mother, Myriam, competed for France at the 1992 Barcelona and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, winning bronze in Atlanta in the K1 as a mum. She was a two-time world champion.
Fox said his daughter wouldn’t be competing for Australia if it wasn’t for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
‘We came to Australia because of the Olympic Games,’ he said.
‘If it wasn’t for Sydney 2000, we wouldn’t be in Australia. Jess wouldn’t be racing in the Olympics. It’s a beautiful story.’
Fox was one of just eight paddlers to do the C1-K1 double, with only one other qualifying for the final.
Oh what a feeling! Jess Fox leaps for joy on the medal podium after winning the elusive gold medal
‘I’m so proud to be in women’s C1 category and of all the women who have raced here and been part of this moment,’ she said.
‘I’m grateful to everyone who lobbied for gender equality and to have us here in this moment.
‘I was in the warm-up pool when I heard the times the girls were putting down and I thought this is what I wanted.
‘I wanted a great final, hot racing, and for me it was rising to that challenge. It has made the victory even sweeter.’
Fox already has her sights on the 2024 Olympics in Paris.