At the Tokyo Olympics, Jess went into the K1 final as the hot favourite and fastest qualifier. However, despite having the quickest time in the final, two time penalties saw her relegated to the bronze medal. Her nine-year hunt for gold continued. 

 

On the afternoon of Thursday, 29 July 2021, the entire nation watched on with bated breath as Jess lined up in the final of the C1 Canoe Slalom. 

 

Fox qualified first for the final, recording a time of 110.59 seconds. An hour later, she would be the last canoeist out at the course. She waited and watched. When Britain’s Mallory Franklin recorded a lightning-fast time of 108.68, Fox’s hopes were dented. But when her turn finally came, the steely expression on her face said it all.

 

Without incurring a single time penalty, Fox delivered a master class with a technically perfect run and finished three seconds clear to grab a historic C1 gold, in what has been described as one of Australia’s greatest-ever Olympic performances.

 

Jess' 2024 Paris Olympics campaign was one for the history books. 

 

Chosen as the Australian flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony, Jess led the Australian team down the Seine River in a honour she described as the greatest moment of her life. 

 

Two days later Jess would go on to produce the definitive performance of her career, superseding the opening ceremony highlight with a masterful moment that coronated her status as an Australian great. 

 

With pace and poise, Jess plotted the perfect course in the K1 final to claim the gold medal in a time of 96.08 seconds that had proven elusive for two generations of her family in five prior Olympics.

 

 Jess then continued onto the Cl event where she cemented her 'Goat' status, securing Olympic gold in the canoe event for the second time in her career. 

 

But that wasn't the end of a successful games for Jess. She was one of four athletes globally  elected to serve as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IC) Athletes Commission for the next 8 years. The role will see Jess continue to be a voice for her fellow athletes around the globe up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.