By Jess Fox.
It was a very uncertain lead up to the Olympics. For us it was such a big build up with
the postponement. Trying to reschedule, plan everything and stay adaptable - the
unknown was challenging. We didn't know until two weeks out whether or not we would
be going overseas before the Olympics to compete in the World Cup events. Despite
the risks, I'm so glad we did now because it had been so long since I'd done any
international competitions and being back on the start lines of the World Cups was great
preparation for the Games. In terms of the team, I guess we were just super, super
careful with Covid-19. We had our own little pods and bubbles because the most
important thing in that lead up was not catching it, otherwise your Olympic dream would
be over. Everyone had this heightened level of awareness, nerves and stress anytime
we left the accommodation. We took many precautions including travelling in separate
cars to ensure we weren't mingling too much in case one team member caught it.
We obviously knew it would be a very different Olympics without the spectators. It was a
shame looking up at that grandstand and it being empty. It was so beautiful and the
venue was amazing but, at the end of the day, it was still empty, and so quiet. It would
have been amazing to have the crowd there and feel that energy that is so unique to an
Olympics. But in saying that, to me, even though there were other restrictions and no
spectators, we had to do daily testing and all of that, it still felt like the Olympics and the
most important thing was to be able to compete. Even with everything going on, it was
still that massive event that we'd worked so hard for. You still felt sick with nerves. You
still felt like there was that pressure and expectation. You still feel that excitement and
adrenaline that you feel at an Olympic Games. Many athletes, who were at their first
Games, had nothing to compare it to. I've fortunately been to two other Olympics so I've
had the experience with the crowd, being up on the podium, going to other sporting
events, partying, being a tourist in the host city and making the most of everything an
Olympics has to offer. This time it was different, but it was still very special in its own
unique way. There was an immense feeling of gratitude and relief just getting to that
start line.
It was such a rollercoaster of emotions I think leading to my final run. I had such a big
build-up and crossing that line winning bronze in K1 was sort of bittersweet because I
was obviously still so proud to win a third Olympic medal, but I was also so gutted.
Look, without that last mistake, the two-second penalty in the second last gate, I was in
line for gold. What this did mean though, was that I was so hungry to do better in the
C1. Those 48 hours after the kayak was all about managing my emotions and my
mental capacity to bounce back for the C1 for when it was really down to the wire for
that final race. Crossing that finish line, all the emotions overcame me. That pure joy,
elation and sheer relief - I honestly can't explain it. I think winning that gold was
achieving a big dream for me, but also for my family, and it did probably help me digest
the kayak a little bit more. To win two medals at the same Olympics and becoming the
first person to do that in my sport is very special to me. Being the first ever Women's
Canoe Olympic Champion and being part of that historic moment is something I'll
always cherish. When I re-watch the kayak or see any footage of the canoe, I still get
teary. It's still very raw and emotional and I don't want that to ever change. I want that
feeling to stay forever and I'm sure it will.
But now the focus is on the next goal. Paris is definitely a goal of mine. It's going to
come around so quickly now with it being only two-and-a-half years away - which just
seems nuts! Normally as soon as you finish a Games, you're like 'four years to go until
another one? That's going to take forever.' but the Paris Games in 2024 will be here
before we know it. We have World Championships this year and then the qualification
period starts so I'll probably be spending a bit more time in Paris getting to know that
course and eating lots of pastries along the way, obviously I'd be lying if I said I wasn't
very excited about it. The Games in Tokyo were very special and unique, but that said, I
hope we don't have the same Covid situation ever again - no one wants that, right? So
when Paris does come around, it will very much be a celebration of the whole country,
for the whole city of Paris, and I think they'll put on a good show. It will ultimately be very
creative and engaging for the fans. I just can't wait to tackle that challenge and hopefully
qualify - bring it on! For me personally though, given my French background, there's
also the hope that my family might be able to attend the Games. I do feel at home in
Paris as well and it would probably, to some degree, feel like a home Olympics without
the pressure of a home Olympics.
Looking ahead in 10 years' time, that takes us to the 2032 Brisbane Games. I don't
know whether I'll still be competing then? Probably not. But you never know, do you?
Perhaps the idea of being in a home Olympics will keep me going for that long? I think
I'd love to be involved in some way in the Brisbane campaign and just sort of celebrating
what it is to have the Olympics for the country. I remember the impact of Sydney 2000
and what that had on our generation so I can't imagine what Brisbane will do for
Australian sport. So I'd really like to do something to help out, whether that be in the
organising committee or with the media or even as a mentor or coach, but I'd love to be
involved somehow that's for sure. Prior to that, I'm not really sure what my trajectory will
be post-Olympics. I think it's important to have some back-up and some study under my
belt for once my sporting career finishes. I think for any athlete, being able to transition
out of that and into something new is always in the back of your mind. There's no
denying that a big gaping hole will exist which was previously filled with training and
competitions, but I guess you've got to find something you're passionate about to try
and replace that unique and unrivalled feeling that sport brings you.
Originally published on SportBible.Com
