Olympian Jessica Fox’s surprising next move following gold medal win

The gold medallist is making a big splash in the fashion world, swapping out her canoe for the catwalk.

Olympic gold medallist Jessica Fox is swapping out her canoe for the catwalk as she steps into a new role with L’Oréal Paris.

The Australian athlete, who is fresh off a very successful run at the Paris Olympic Games, bringing home a gold medal for Australia in the Women’s Canoe Slalom Single, is ready to do something new, and it’s taking her out of her comfort zone.

Olympic gold medallist Jess Fox is swapping out canoes for the catwalk. Picture: L'Oréal Paris

The Olympic athlete will be swapping out the river rapids for a runway, making her fashion debut on Thursday, October 23 at the L’Oréal Paris Walk Your Worth Runway at the Sydney Opera House, where she will celebrate “sisterhood, empowerment and self-worth”.

The French-Australian athlete will join the likes of Jessica Rowe, Ellie Cole, Samantha Harris, and Riley Minford as she stomps down the catwalk next week, a move she finds simultaneously nerve-racking and exciting.

The athletic superstar had a very successful run at the Paris Olympic Games. Picture: L'Oréal Paris

Ms Fox, who is no stranger to tackling wild water, confessed she was feeling “a little bit nervous” about a particular element of the upcoming runway – wearing heels.

“Walking a runway, especially in heels, is definitely outside my comfort zone, but the iconic Sydney Opera House backdrop makes it an unforgettable opportunity,” Ms Fox told CODE Sports. “I can’t wait to meet the other incredible women and celebrate being part of this movement.”

While wild water doesn’t deter Ms Fox, high heels are a very different story. Picture: L'Oréal Paris

Speaking to Today, she said participating in L’Oréal’s Walk Your Worth Runway was all about “challenging myself in different ways”, and although she was still a little shaky on the idea of wearing heels, it’s nothing she can’t handle.

“The part of walking a runway in heels will be a challenge,” she said. “I’m a little bit nervous about that”.

Despite her nerves, Ms Fox said “stepping into your most confident self” was the key to dominating the catwalk. “You’ve got to own it,” she said.