You’d be forgiven for naming Jessica Fox as younger sister Noemie’s number one inspiration ahead of her triumphant kayak cross final on Monday.
But the newly crowned Olympic champion has identified a different source of motivation ahead of the big race in France.
The Fox family completed their gold medal sweep in Paris with Noemie joining her sister Jessica as Olympic champions by winning the kayak cross.
The 27-year-old was unstoppable in the new Olympic whitewater event, winning every round before winning the four-man final on Monday at the Stade Nautique in Vaires-sur-Marne.
Fox crossed the line ahead of Frances Angele Hug and Britain’s reigning world champion Kimberley Woods won bronze.
Woods maintained the lead but struggled to clear an upstream gate near the end of the course, allowing Fox to power through.
Following her win, Fox revealed how the victory of her compatriot and new BMX champion Saya Sakakibara served as motivation for her efforts.
Sakakibara, like Fox, was not considered the favourite to win gold in the final, as the BMX star was up against British all-rounder Bethany Shriever.
But the Australian pulled off a huge surprise by taking victory in a quick race, just as Fox did to Woods.
Noemie Fox has revealed that her main inspiration for gold was not her sister Jessica
The 27-year-old Fox triumphed in the kayak cross final on Monday
She said she was inspired by BMX champion Saya Sakakibara’s performance.
“I thought, ‘OK, I’m going to do the same thing as her,'” she told Nine.
“It’s surreal to have this gold medal in your hands. It’s like a dream.”
“I can’t believe it’s mine. Years of hard work and today it turned out perfect.”
‘It was a privilege and an honour to be on the podium with two other pioneers in kayak cross, who have invested so much time and energy.
“We’ve done training camps together and sharing that moment was very special, yes. It’s a dream, a dream come true.”
