Noémie Fox has written the final chapter in the Fox family fairytale, winning the first-ever Olympic gold medal in the Kayak Cross event.

After 11 years as a member of Australia’s national team, the 27-year old Olympic debutant was finally able to make her Games dream a reality with Kayak Cross added to the Paris 2024 program.

What makes the feat so remarkable is she only qualified for the Games in June, after winning a silver at the Global Qualification event.

Despite the confidence she brought to the Games, and being a favourite to reach the final after a blistering Time Trial on the opening day of competition, an ever-humble Noémie had only imagined the perfect finish.

“It’s a dream. It's a dream come true,” Noémie said.

“I enjoyed every single second of racing, of just being here. Like the privilege of being at the Olympics and showing up in your best form mentally, physically, and enjoying it.

“It's just, this is the only thing you can really hope for. And this is the biggest possible reward. It's unreal. It's just insane.

“I'm so, so proud of this whole campaign, the whole journey.”

Noémie appeared relaxed from her first run, posting strong performances in three time trials and the first round of competition.

Noémie maintained her calm exterior, despite having to face sister and fellow Paris 2024 gold medalist Jess Fox in the heats.

Noémie dominated the race and made a statement to the competition that she was ready to go all the way. Unfortunately for the sisters, only one Fox would make a finals appearance with Jess coming in fourth.

“I started off with a really hard heat and I was really kind of stressed out by the fact that I had the hardest heat on paper.” Noémie said.

“Then the next round one was also really challenging being against stress straight away.

“I just knock out the best ones when I go through and then it gets progressively easier. It’s a real mind game of persistence of not backing down and, and refreshing after each one. The race isn't over until you cross the line.”

Even with a superstar line up, Noémie kept her cool and battled hard in the final with a clean run and a world of support behind her.

Cheered on by sister Jess, Noémie made what proved a race-winning move around the first upstream gate to gain a lead that she never conceded.

Jess and mother and coach Myriam ran the length of the course to witness the historic win and were the first to celebrate the moment, leaping into the white water at Vaires-sur-Marne beyond the finish line to join Noémie.

“I'm just in awe of her and I can't believe it.” Jess said.

“Everyone was talking about Jess, ‘Are you going to win three gold medals?’ No because Noemie gets one of her own and it's absolutely incredible!

“She's Olympic champion and she has worked so hard for that. I'm so proud of her and I'm drenched because I jumped into the water because there is so much emotion in this moment. It's amazing.

“We were both screaming. She was like, ‘What is going on?’ Now this means that poor dad is the only one without an Olympic medal!” Jess said.

Father Richard competed for Great Britain in Olympic canoe slalom but Noémie’s gold medal completes a fairytale for the women of the Fox family, with the sisters and mother Myriam, who competed for France in Atlanta, all Olympic medallists.  

Noémie also paid tribute to the support from extended family, including her late grandfather.

“They'd be so proud. My grandfather on my Dad's side, he knew that I was selected, so that in itself was amazing. They are all so proud.” Noémie said.

The gold medal means the Foxes become the fifth set of Australian sisters to win a gold medal at the same Olympic Games, preceded by swimmers Cate and Bronte Campbell (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020), Katrina and Lisa Powell (Hockey 1996 & 2000), Bridgette Gusterson and Danielle Woodhouse (Water Polo 2000) and Lee Capes and Michelle Capes (Hockey 1988).

Australia also had Tim Anderson and Tristan Carter in action in the men’s races, however both were knocked out of competition in the quarterfinals.

“That was pretty hard. They really came down on top of me after the roll section and I did my best to stay in position, but he had all the momentum to push me down.” Tim said.

“We had a big tangle up of paddles. I think I ended up having to let go of mine.I did take contact in the face and the chest too. It happens.”

While Tim finished in third in his race, teammate Tristan made an error on the compulsory roll, getting his paddle tangled on the obstacle which cost time, ultimately resulting in him coming in fourth.

The Kayak Cross was the final event for Canoe Slalom at Paris 2024. For the Fox Family, it ended on the ultimate high.

Words courtesy of olympics.com.au.

‍‍Image courtesy of Garry Bowden.