Fox family’s Olympic dream crushed by new rule

A new IOC qualifying rule is set to end hopes of Olympic hero Jess Fox competing alongside her sister Noemie at the 2024 Paris Games, with the lesser-known 26-year-old facing the very real prospect of being a sacrificial lamb in the quest for gold medals.

With just over a year until the Paris Olympics begins, Paddle Australia – the governing body for the sport of canoeing and kayaking – has admitted it has a ‘difficult’ situation ahead after changes to the qualification system.

The Fox sisters will compete in two separate categories for spots in the Olympics, however their paths could cross in awkward circumstances.

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Normally, Jess would be expected to compete in the closed canoe (C1) – in which she’s the reigning gold medallist – and kayak (K1) events.

However, a change from the IOC means an athlete who has qualified in the C1 cannot be considered for a place in qualifying for the kayak event.

It’s believed the alteration is to encourage more countries to compete in the Olympics.

In order for Jess to compete in the K1, she’ll rely on another Australian – most likely her sister Noemie – to earn a quota spot for Australia. This means competitors are qualifying the boat, not individually, with athlete selection the next part of the process. Once the qualification process is completed, Paddle Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee will work together to determine which athlete should compete in which category, meaning Noemie is likely to be sacrificed to give her sister, who is a genuine shot of gold medals in both categories, two chances to compete in Paris.

To further complicate issues, if Noemie earns the quota in K1 – which could go to her sister Jess – it means she will not be eligible to qualify in Kayak Cross – a new event. 

Paddle Australia national performance director Kim Crane explained the competition between the sisters is no different to any regular contest.

“It’s no different in the sense the two girls are always competing, essentially, competing under the umbrella for Australia but they’re actually lining up as individual athletes against each other,” she said.

“That’s the beauty of their relationship is they are supportive of each other but at the same time know they’re out to challenge each other to be the best they can be as individual athletes. But there’s no doubt it’s difficult.

“In a normal team environment it’s difficult but when you’re battling against your sister it’s really difficult.”

Paddle Australia is currently going through its strategy towards the senior world championships in September, which is the qualification process for the Olympics.

Wide World of Sports reached out to Jess Fox for comment, however due to international commitments, was told she was unavailable. 

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