Noémie Fox has delivered a stunning victory in the brutal Kayak Cross race, winning Australia’s 13th gold medal of the games and her family’s third gold medal in Paris.
Together with Jess Fox, she is now part of the first set of siblings in Australia to each win individual gold medals.
The younger Fox Noémie had to compete against her sister in the heats, who this week became known as the greatest of all time in the sport after securing two gold medals in Paris so far, following the gold she won in Tokyo.
Kayak cross is unlike the other paddle events as it involves three other competitors in the water racing around the already difficult and awkward course. Paris is the first time the event has been included.
Jess jumped in the water as her sister crossed the line in first position, having been knocked out of the competition in an earlier race. She told Nine that she was “full of emotion” watching her sister make it through each round with such composure. “I’m so proud of her. There’s so much emotion in this moment, it’s amazing.”
“What a moment for our family. What a moment for these Games,” she said.
Jess Fox said she was nervous for her sister and just wanted her to do a good race. “She nailed it,” she said. “I’m just in awe of her.”
Noémie Fox later told Nine that she can’t believe the gold medal is hers, and shared some of the self doubt she had to overcome to get to the top of the podium.
“It needs self confidence, I never really thought I had the confidence that my family had,” she said.
“I’m still like ‘is it Jess’s?’ But no, it’s mine,” she said on her medal.
“It’s surreal to be holding this. It just, it feels like a dream.
Noémie Fox paddled past the event’s world champion Kimberley Woods to take the lead and win gold, after winning her heat, quarter final and semi final to get a place in the medal race. Angele Hug from France took the gold medal.
There are more Olympic medalists in the family than those now won by these sisters. Their mother and coach, Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi won the bronze medal in the K1 event at the Atlanta Olympic Games, while their father Richard Fox is a former world champion. Their aunt, Rachel Crosbee, is a world champion silver medalist.
Jess Fox laughed that her “poor dad” is now the only member of the family without an Olympic medal.
At 27, Noémie Fox has competed internationally since 2013 and has previously won two world championships.
Check out our Women’s Medal Tally here.