For the first time in 15 years, three-time Olympic champion Jess Fox will not be at the startline for the canoe slalom world championships.
The Australian canoeing great will miss the event in Penrith on her home course later this month after having surgery to remove a tumour from her kidney.
Fox, who grew up in Penrith after moving from France with her family, said she was “devastated” to miss her home championships, but that she had to prioritise her health.
“Unfortunately, I just won’t be ready in time. I need to put my health and recovery first after surgery,” Fox wrote on Instagram.
“I’m absolutely devastated to be missing this one – a world championships on my home course where I first watched my heroes at the Sydney Olympics, saw the first Aussie world title by Rob Bell in 2005, the course where I’ve grown up and learnt to paddle, trained every day to be the best. A home worlds is a once-in-a-career opportunity, and I was so excited and looking forward to it.
“Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them, but I’ve learned that while we can’t always control what happens, we can always choose our attitude and perspective.”
Jess Fox shares the joy when her sister Noemie won a gold medal in the kayak cross at the Paris Games.Credit: AP
Fox said she was grateful for the resilience the sport had given her, even though timing wasn’t on her side
“But you can be sure I’ll be doing my best to be back on the water and come back fit, strong and healthy when the time is right.”