Devastated Fox in a world of hurt to miss home champs
Melissa Woods |
Superstar paddler Jessica Fox says she’s devastated to miss a one-time opportunity to win a world title in front of Australian fans after being forced out of the slalom world championships.
The three-time Olympic champion was racing the clock to compete in the world titles on her home course in Penrith after surgery last month to remove a tumour on her kidney.
But the event, which starts on September 29, has been robbed of its major drawcard, with Fox recovering well but still not back on the water.
A heartbroken Fox posted on social media about her disappointment at not being able to add to her 14 world championship titles, including the K1 crown and women’s team event won in 2023.
“For the first time in 15 years, I won’t be on the startline at the world championships. Unfortunately, I just won’t be ready in time. I need to put my health and recovery first after surgery,” the 31-year-old wrote.
“I’m absolutely devastated to be missing this one – a world championships on my home course where I first watched my heroes at the Sydney Olympics, saw the first Aussie world title by Rob Bell in 2005, the course where I’ve grown up and learnt to paddle, trained every day to be the best.
“A home worlds is a once-in-a-career opportunity and I was so excited and looking forward to it.”
Richard Fox is head of the Host Organising Committee but is a father first, and told AAP his daughter had to prioritise her health.
He said six-time Olympic medallist Jessica would still have a visible role with the event, but out of the water rather than in it.
“When she had the operation, there was still a decent block of time, but when you look at it from a medical point of view, the advice is that it was a long shot,” Fox said.
“She’s moving around and the recovery is going well, but she’s not on water by any means, and it’s so important to come back well.
“She’s come to terms with it … you don’t rush these things and take your health first and your sport comes second, and that sort of took a bit of time to fully digest.
“The worlds are going ahead and she’s not going to be racing, that’s clear, but she will be the biggest cheerleader out there, supporting the rest of the team.”
Fox’s younger sister Noemie, who won gold in the kayak cross event in Paris, now takes over as the headline act, while fellow Olympians Tim Anderson, Tristan Carter and Lucien Delfour are also in the Australian team.
The event, which has attracted 300 international athletes, will be held at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, a legacy venue from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, from September 29 to October 4.
It’s the first time the world championships have been held in Australia in 25 years.
AAP
