Paris Olympics 2024: Noemie Fox wins kayak cross silver to join sister Jessica on canoe slalom team

It was hard to figure out who was more excited - Noemie Fox who came from last to qualify Australia for the 2024 Olympics or her mother who will watch two daughters race in Paris.

Paddler Noemie Fox said she has been thinking and dreaming about racing in the Paris Olympics alongside sister Jessica every day for the last eight months.

Now, for the final 40 plus days leading into the start of the Olympics, she can dream about winning a medal there after qualifying Australia a spot in kayak cross which will see her nominated to the Australian team.

An emotional Fox, the younger sister of multiple champion Jessica and daughter of two Olympians and world champions in mother Myriam and father Richard, nabbed her spot in the new cross kayak event at the last possible moment.

The World Cup race in Prague was the last chance for Fox to make the Paris team and she did so by being in the top three competitors in the final early Monday morning.

Fox contested a gruelling schedule of five back-to-back races before coming from last to snare a silver metal in the final and a spot for Australia at the upcoming Olympic Games.

Paddler Noemie Fox in action in the Kayak Cross. Picture: Supplied

“To be able to line up with Jess as well and the other two Australians Tristan [Carter] and Tim [Anderson] it’s just going to be so incredible and I can’t wait to start thinking about that journey,” Fox said..

Possibly more emotional was her mother who coaches her sister. and reigning Olympic champion Jessica.

“I feel ecstatic. It’s a dream, it’s like an Olympic gold for me to have two girls at the Olympics,’’ Myriam said.

“It’s a dream come true for Noemie. She’s been working hard and Pierre [her coach] had a good strategy preparing for today. I’m just so happy.’’

SILVER LINING FOR JESSICA FOX IN PRAGUE

SUNDAY: She might have picked up a pair of silver medals rather than wins in the World Cup racing in Prague on the weekend but there’s good reason Jessica Fox is still happy with her haul at a World Cup meet in Prague.

While uncharacteristic mistakes cost her gold medals in both the C1 and K1 racing, the Penrith paddler still managed to post the fastest time in both finals in an encouraging sign for the Paris Olympics.

Jessica Fox training in the Olympic venue in Vaires-sur-Marne, near Paris

The Prague World Cup is one of Fox’s last major events before heading to France for more training in the final lead-in to the Olympics.

Fox was just relieved the event went ahead after flooding threatened to curtail the racing late last week.

“There was a bit of uncertainty a few days ago with the flooding, but they’ve managed it really well, we’ve all adapted, changed the format and I think that worked really well and we’ve made the best of the situation, so no issues from me,’’ Fox said.

“Another World Cup in Kraków next weekend before heading to Paris for a good block of training. This is our racing block and then we’ll get back to some good training with less than 50 days to go, it’s exciting.’’

Touches which incurred time penalties on the whitewater course cost Fox a pair of golds but she still posted the fastest times in both events with just less than 50n days to go to the Games.

“It was a really good run, there were some good attacking bits, I improved on my semi but unfortunately the penalties cost me the win today,’’ said Fox, preparing for her fourth Olympics and considered one of Australia’s leading gold medal hopefuls.

“I was a bit frustrated with the last touch but very happy to be racing here.’’