Jess Fox knocked out by little sister as historic Olympics campaign comes to end

The golden girl of Aussie sport crashed out of her last event after finishing behind an Olympic debutant – her younger sister.

Noemie Fox of Team Australia (L) Jessica Fox of Team Australia, Martina Wegman of Team Netherlands and Maialen Chourraut of Team Spain compete during the Canoe Slalom Women's Kayak Cross Heats on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Vaires-Sur-Marne Nautical Stadium on August 04, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Australia’s golden girl Jess Fox won’t be adding to her medal tally in Paris after she was knocked out of the kayak cross event – while her younger sister went through to the quarter-final on Monday morning (AEST).

Jess was knocked out in the heats of the kayak cross event as she chased a historic third gold this Olympics.

The 30-year-old had performed well in qualifying, but finished last in the heat after becoming stuck in the final upstream gate.

There was disappointment on Fox’s face as she crossed the line, before that quickly turned to pride for her 27-year-old sister Noemie – who had streaked ahead to finish first.

Noemie (left) and Jessica Fox (second from left) raced each other in the kayak cross heats. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Only the top two go through from each four-person heat, meaning Jess’ record-breaking campaign had come to an end.

“Gutted absolutely but at the same time when you see your little sister win the heat … the emotion went straight away and I just gave her a massive hug because I was really proud of her,” she said.

“I was nervous for her, nervous for myself, gutted that we were in the same heat, but also then we realised it could be an advantage if we could work together or at least not block each other, so I think we did that well.”

Jess and Noemie share a hug after crossing the line. Picture: Nine

The Fox sisters embraced on the water after the race in what was a landmark moment for younger sibling Noemie, 27, who is competing at her first Olympics.

“Definitely words of encouragement,” Noemie said, when asked what her big sister had told her.

“She’s so grateful to have me here. It’s so special for us to be together doing this.

“We’ve been really great sparring and training partners. She knows she had more to show as well – and now she’ll just be pushing me to the end.”

It has been a special Games for the Fox family, with the sisters both competing at an Olympics for the first time in France – the nation where they were born.

Jess Fox and her sister Noemie Fox when they were students at Blaxland high school.

Richard Fox, the father and coach of his daughters, said he hoped they would be one and two but that Jess had got into an early fight.

“In hindsight it has been a big, big Games for Jess and she can be proud of what she has done,” he said.

“Noemie, this was her moment. She’s not rejoicing. She feels for her sister. There was no tussle between the two. That’s good.’’

Jess has become the most decorated canoeist in Olympic history during the Paris Games, with gold medals in the canoe and kayak slalom races.

Australia’s flag bearer has also joined elite company having now won three individual golds in her Olympic career.

Jessica Fox won two gold medals in Paris. Picture: Olivier Morin/AFP

She wanted to stress that Noemie had not technically knocked her out.

“I just didn’t pull out my best race and it was really tough, “ she said.

“Off the start I got really tangled with the other two girls and Noemie had a really good start so I was trying to chase from that moment,” Jess said.

“That first corner I turned fourth, so I had to try and overtake in the first up(stream gate) which I thought I did really well, climbed up one spot and then I almost, almost pulled off the overtake in the last upstream gate.”