Paddler Noémie Fox won Olympic gold in the kayak cross to cap off a remarkable Games in canoe slalom for Australia and the Fox family. The 27-year-old delivered on a hot day in the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, in the debut of the combative format within the Olympics’ canoe slalom programme.
In a dramatic final, Fox enjoyed the right starting position, and was second behind Team GB’s Kimberley Woods after the initial exchanges. But a brilliant eskimo roll – mandatory in the event – saw her take the lead, and she was able to head off a late challenge to cross the line first ahead of local favourite Angele Hug, with Woods in third.
The afternoon was capped off by Jess leaping into the river to celebrate alongside her sister.
Approximately 10,000 rowdy fans produced a carnival like atmosphere on a glorious summer day in Paris, their energy and the drama on the whitewater concluding the sport’s hugely entertaining Olympic programme.
Monday’s gold adds to the Fox family’s medal haul from the 2024 Games, already heavy with two gold medals won by her sister Jess in the kayak and canoe events.
Noémie had only qualified for the Games in June, by winning a silver medal at the Canoe Slalom World Cup 2024 in Prague, Czechia on Sunday. Australia’s quota had already been taken by her sister, but Noémie – three years younger than Jess – proved she was worthy of the stage after she won the heat on Sunday that eliminated the older sibling.
Noémie has watched her sister compete in the time trial-based events at the Games so far, allowing her to stay fresh the kayak cross. But she had to battle through three races on Monday to win a medal, winning both her quarter-final and semi.
She produced a fine comeback in the semi-final after a slow start left her in fourth place, with only the top two qualifying. But she surged back in the middle stages, beating German Elena Lilik who had finished with silver behind Jess in the canoe single event last week.
after newsletter promotion
It gave her the opportunity to continue her family’s extraordinary record in Paris, and she didn’t disappoint.
Canoe sprint begins on Tuesday on the lake adjoining the canoe slalom course at Vaires-sur-Marne.
More to follow.