Jess Fox and Eddie Ockenden to carry Australian flag at Paris Olympics opening ceremony

A night at a Taylor Swift concert convinced Jess Fox she should accept the honour of carrying the Australian flag alongside hockey legend Eddie Ockenden.

Taylor Swift convinced Jess Fox she could carry the Australian Olympic flag up the Seine River one night and not finish up the creek as a competitor the next day.

The charismatic Fox joined evergreen hockey star Eddie Ockenden as Chef de Mission Anna Meares’ choices as Australian flagbearers for Saturday morning’s (Australian time) opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic on the Seine River.

There were storylines dripping everywhere after the announcement.

Like Ockenden falling silent and dumbstruck in the car after being phoned by Meares, declaring “can I ring you back?’’

Only after consulting with his family and team-mates did he agree to become Tasmania’s first flagbearer.

Like the fact that Fox’s first contact with Meares was as a 10-year-old when she met her upon her return from the Athens Olympics in 2004 and duly got her autograph.

Eddie Ockenden and Jess Fox to carry the flag for Australia at the opening ceremony. Picture: Michael Klein

It was one of many rich threads to the already fertile Fox narrative. Her father Richard was a British white water champion, her mother and coach Myriam was a French Olympic bronze medallist so this Games is all about reconnecting one culture with another in a very unique way.

Jess will compete in the canoe slalom the afternoon after carrying the flag so she had every reason to skip the honour – but just couldn’t do it.

“I could not say no but we obviously discussed it a lot,’’ Fox said. “I broke the secret a little bit with my inner circle because I wanted to be able to prepare for it. I went to a Taylor Swift concert and used it as a simulation.

“I got the bus in. I had the best night of my life. I got home late. I did my hydration testing. Did my meditation and then had a simulation (training) the next day. I feel ready.

Eddie Ockenden and Jess Fox embrace. Picture: Michael Klein

“I have known for a while but it really hit me today.’’

“I’m getting goosebumps. I am speechless to have the opportunity to walk behind some of the legends who have had this honour before. We are inspired by the history of those who came before us.’’

“It is the greatest moment of my career to share this with Eddie and to visualize leading out the Australian team on the Seine River – there is that French connection which is very strong and it is great to bring the two cultures together.’’.

Eddie Ockenden and Jess Fox to carry the flag for Australia at the opening ceremony. Picture: Michael Klein

Ockenden, who became the first Tasmanian to carry the flag and joked with host Eddie McGuire in the make-up room that he did not need make-up because he was from Tasmania, cut a modest figure almost in awe of the honour.

“It doesn’t feel real yet,’’ Ockenden said. “When Anna rang I just didn’t feel it was something that would ever be a possibility.’’

“It’s really hard to describe how I feel expect that I am filled with so much gratitude. If I get emotional it is because of gratitude.’’

History is flowing in all directions at these Games and choice of The Monnaie de Paris (the Paris mint), which was founded in 864 AD was a fitting nod to two of Australia’s longest serving Olympians with a collective Games experience of 28 years.

Only 25 Australians have carried the summer Olympic flag at the opening ceremony and the list includes blue-blooded champions Raelene Boyle, Andrew Gaze, Lauren Jackson, James Tomkins and Meares.

Champion canoeist Fox, a chance of three gold medals at this Games, left France’s coastal city of Marseille at age three to come to Australia but a little part of her never left at all and she returns most years to the region she enjoyed as child.

Originally published as Jess Fox and Eddie Ockenden to carry Australian flag at Paris Olympics opening ceremony