When sisters Jessica and Noemie Fox won Olympic gold in Paris last year, they became household names right across the country.
While Jessica was a familiar face to pretty much everyone already, her younger sister Noemie was well and truly thrust into the spotlight when she took home gold in the exciting new paddling discipline of kayak cross.
After their incredible triumphs in Paris and doing the nation proud back home, the pair returned to Australia as sporting heroes and subsequently their lives changed forever.
The Fox sisters were seen everywhere in the months that followed the Olympics.
From corporate functions to fashion shoots and television appearances, the world couldn’t – and still can’t – get enough of these two talented and humble women from Penrith.
“It’s been amazing and hectic and a whirlwind, but it’s fantastic being home,” Jessica said.
“Over the last six months, I’ve been enjoying different opportunities and trying my hand at a few different things. It’s amazing to be home and to continue celebrating Paris.”
When the 30-year-old wasn’t flying all over the country speaking at various lavish corporate events, she was also presenting the sport on Channel Nine’s ‘Today’ program as well as being a colour reporter for the Australian Open.
“I’ve always enjoyed working in the media and working at the tennis with Nine was awesome!” she said.
“I got to be a colour reporter for a week. It was a great experience; it was hard work, but I enjoyed the variety as well.”
Her sister Noemie was also treated to an array of new opportunities as her profile began to soar following her gold medal-winning performance on the whitewater.
A relative unknown prior to Paris, Noemie has also been filling her spare time at events, like the recent AACTA Awards on the Gold Coast.
“It’s been so incredible to say ‘yes’ to new opportunities that have come my way and enjoy the little glams and perks that come with it, but at the end of the day, I’m also back at training, back to 7am on the water,” she said.
One thing Noemie was able to do before the Olympics was head to her favourite coffee shop or pick up some groceries without anyone batting an eyelid. The 27-year-old said everything changed the moment she returned home.
“There’s definitely some times when I think I need to be presentable every time that I go out, but the worst is when you go out late night supermarket shopping with your hair post training and you get stopped for a photo and you go ‘oh gosh, oh really?’,” Noemie said.
“Coming back from Paris, it was a big shift and quite overwhelming… just the number of online messages and then in person. It was going from zero to 100. But now it’s slowed down, so I do enjoy when I have a chat with people that recognise me.”
While there can be downsides to instant fame, like the burnout felt by Jessica prior to Christmas, the Fox sisters know that sort of attention won’t last forever, but if they’re willing to embrace the good times like they are, a suitable balance can easily be found.
“It’s so amazing to come back to that local level – across Penrith and the Blue Mountains,” Noemie said.
“To be able to go to local primary schools especially is something I’ve loved the most, to see how excited and knowledgeable about the Olympics the kids are.
“It’s been so great to meet people and hear about their experience watching the Games. Whether it’s in the coffee line or getting a blood test or anywhere really, it’s nice to have those chats with people because I still kind of pinch myself.”
After a quick trip to Vietnam this week, the Fox sisters will be in action this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Penrith Whitewater Stadium when they compete at the 2025 Paddle Australia Canoe Slalom Australian Open.
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.