Paris | After four-time Olympic champion Jess Fox became one of Australia’s most decorated medallists, prevailing in the kayak slalom where gold has long eluded her, she spontaneously crossed a bridge over the rapids to celebrate with the euphoric Aussie fans.

And why not? Under sunny afternoon skies, and accompanied by a thumping nightclub soundtrack, the Australian contingent had made its presence vocally and visibly felt in the 12,000-seat Vaires-sur-Marne stadium, east of Paris.