Noemie Fox will compete with Olympic champion sister Jess for first time in Paris

Jess Fox is an established Olympic champion and Australian sporting star and now her younger sister will fly the flag for the first time in Paris.

Noemie Fox (middle) and her Olympic champion sister Jessica will both be in Paris. Picture: Kim Jones Photography

Becoming the fourth member of her family to paddle at the Olympics is a “dream” for Noemie Fox, who switched allegiances a while ago but still considers Paris to be a “home” Games.

Fox is the younger sister of Olympic champion Jess, and a multiple world championship medallist, also coached by their mother, Myriam, who competed for France at the Olympics in canoe slalom. Her father, Richard, also paddled for England.

Now at 27, Noemie will continue the family legacy, and having been eligible to represent France, the UK, or Australia at international level, she will wear green and gold after a silver medal at the ICF World Cup in Prague earnt Australia an Olympic quota spot in the kayak cross and all but secured her place in the Australian Olympic team.

“The semi-final with the reigning world champion, past world champion and European medallist was probably the hardest thing. So once I got through that and I was in the final, I was just wanting to enjoy it and not come last, and that’s what I did,” said Noemie, who will compete against her sister in Paris.

Noemie Fox will join sister Jess at the Olympics. Picture: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

“It’s been such a long journey and I feel so grateful to have had the most incredible support team here with me and to be able to celebrate it and join the Australian Olympic team, and join my sister, it’s so incredible and I’m so happy.

“It’s the type of thing you dream about. In Australia, it is really hard to have that validation and sense of professionalism unless you have made the Olympics.”

Noemie conceded she cheered for France as a young girl new to Australia in 2000 but told the NSWIS Lights Up athlete documentary series of the emotion that drove her decision to compete in the green and gold of the country she migrated to as a little girl.

“Paris 2024 is such a special Olympics for me. When we came here, we moved from France and I was cheering for France at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paris will be the opposite,” Noemie said.

WATCH: She's going to Paris! Local paddler Noemie Fox has secured her spot on Australia's Olympic team. pic.twitter.com/TkK90lin26

— Western Weekender (@wwpenrith) June 9, 2024

“I will be in the Australian uniform and it will feel like a home Games in a sense. I am super excited to be in that atmosphere with all the other Australian supporters and athletes.”

Myriam couldn’t hold back her excitement when she realised her two daughters would be competing for Australia at the Olympics.

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

“I’m just so happy.”