- Winning is a proud family tradition in the Fox family
- Noemie is the last to achieve Olympic success
- Key statistics highlight how impressive their achievements are
Talent runs deep in the Fox family. Noemie, like her sister Jessica and mother Myriam, has won a gold medal at the Olympics. Their achievement is put into perspective by one key statistic.
Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi is a famous Australian slalom canoeist who achieved Olympic success in her own right.
She won two bronze medals, one at the 1996 Summer Olympics and one at the 2000 Olympics, after which she took on a successful role as a coach, guiding athletes such as her daughters Jessica and Noemie to Olympic glory.
Jess then went on to become Australia’s golden girl, following in her mother’s footsteps with three gold, one silver and two bronze Olympic medals.
Now Noemie has made it a family affair with her first gold medal in Paris, with her entire family jumping into the water to celebrate with her on Tuesday morning (AEST).
Thanks to the family’s contribution to the Olympics, the Fox family has now achieved more than some of the largest and most established countries in the world.
If you count only the medals they won at the Paris Olympics, the Fox family would rank 17th on the Paris medal tally, above countries such as Brazil, Belgium, Spain and Switzerland.
Their combined medal total from all the Games they have competed in is four golds, one silver and four bronzes, placing them 12th in Paris, above New Zealand and below Canada.
Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi celebrates winning gold in Paris with her daughter Jessica
Noemie Fox joined the proud family tradition by also winning gold at the Paris Olympics
Proud parents Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi and Richard Fox are pictured celebrating with Noemie after her stunning kayak cross victory on Tuesday morning
After their gold medal victories, Jess said the family could feel the weight of the nation on their shoulders as they lined up for their events.
“There was definitely a lot of pressure, a lot of expectation. Add to that the role of flag bearer – that’s an absolute honor and a privilege to be in that role and lead our team – but with that comes an extra layer,” she said.
“When I won the kayak race, there was so much joy in that moment, to finally achieve that. When I did it for the canoe, it was just disbelief – intense emotion, sharing that with everyone.
‘Today, when I did my post-race interview and I realized it was the end of my Olympic campaign, it hit me. There was an emotional release, there were tears, there was relief.
‘(There is) a bit of disappointment about today, but overall I’m mostly proud and happy.’
Jessica Fox is pictured after jumping into the water to celebrate Tuesday’s stunning win with her sister
The 30-year-old is now taking a well-deserved break to think about what happens next.
“I’ve always been very motivated, in the sense that the gold medal is my dream and I love being on the podium,” she said.
“But I’m always motivated by the performance and what I can do. Yes, I’ve ticked all the boxes I ever wanted to tick… but I also love racing.
‘Of course I need a break, that’s important, to come back refreshed.
“I love racing and I’m not done with it yet, that’s for sure.”
