Jessica Fox has presented one of her Olympic paddles to long-time sponsor Southlands Shopping Centre as recognition of their support through her career.
The presentation was made to Southlands’ Mark Hovey at a special business luncheon held in Penrith today to celebrate the Fox sisters and their Olympics success.
Jess Fox won both K1 and C1 Gold in Paris, while sister Noemie took home Gold in the Kayak Cross.
Today’s luncheon, presented by the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, was also attended by Fox’s parents and mentors Richard and Miriam.
“Southlands took a chance on a young Penrith girl and supported her to achieve the greatest things on the world stage,” Jess said.
It is just the second time Fox has donated a paddle – the other being to an Olympic museum.
“We talk about it taking a village to raise a child but it takes a village to raise an athlete,” Jess said.
Jess spoke at the luncheon, held at the Western Sydney Conference Centre, about the pressures of the Olympic campaign.
“There were all these things that made it such a big moment that it could have overwhelmed me,” she said.
“But I remember thinking the moment is not bigger than me, the moment is mine to take.”
Noemie spoke about her journey to the games, riding the uncertainty of qualification and then taking Gold – the first ever in Kayak Cross.
“I was so hungry to finally have my moment,” she said.
And when she did have that moment, it gave us one of the Olympics’ greatest scenes – Jess and Miriam jumping in the water to celebrate.
“When they all jumped in it was the best, nothing tops that,” she said.
“It’s pretty crazy. Everything has happened so quickly so it’s been hard to let it all sink in.”
Earlier in the day, the Fox sisters had been at Penrith Whitewater Stadium where it was announced that the island in the middle of the venue would be re-named Fox Island.
“A large part of Australia’s most successful Olympics performance in history came down to two girls from Penrith, Jess and Noemie Fox who honed their skills through countless hours on the rapids here at Penrith Whitewater Stadium,” Premier Chris Minns said.
“To recognise the significant contribution of the Fox family to Australian sport – from Jess and Noemie to their parents Richard and Myriam, we are very proud to also be naming the island at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, Fox Island.”
Deputy Premier and Londonderry MP Prue Car agreed.
“We are proud of our world-class sporting venues which have hosted some of the biggest sporting events in the world, including the Penrith Whitewater Stadium and Sydney International Regatta Centre,” she said.
“The Fox family has made a tremendous impact to the local and paddling communities, and it is only fitting to have Penrith Whitewater Stadium become home to Fox Island.”
The State and Federal Governments also announced they would contribute $3.2 million towards the Canoe Slalom World Championships, which will be held in Penrith next October.
“NSW is rightly proud of our Olympic, Paralympic and World Championship legacy, and we couldn’t be more excited to help host the 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships in the heart of western Sydney,” Minns said.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.