{"id":135891,"date":"2025-09-11T19:01:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T19:01:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/135891\/"},"modified":"2025-09-11T19:01:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T19:01:09","slug":"fans-rally-around-jessica-fox-after-aussie-olympic-hero-shares-absolutely-devastating-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/135891\/","title":{"rendered":"Fans rally around Jessica Fox after Aussie Olympic hero shares ‘absolutely devastating’ news"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fans are sending messages of support to Jessica Fox<\/a> after the Aussie Olympic champ revealed on Thursday she’s out of this month’s slalom world championships. The event in Sydney has been robbed of its main attraction after the three-time Olympic gold medallist had to have surgery to remove a tumour on her kidney<\/a> last month.<\/p>\n

Fox was racing the clock to take part and remained hopeful she wouldn’t have to withdraw, but delivered the “absolutely devastating” news on Thursday that she’s out. The 31-year-old said she’s making a strong recovery after sitting out two World Cup events in Europe, but won’t be ready for September 29 when the world championships start.<\/p>\n

\"Jessica<\/p>\n

Jessica Fox and sister Noemie were one of the stories of the Paris Olympics last year. Image: Getty<\/p>\n

“For the first time in 15 years, I won\u2019t be on the startline at the world championships,” she announced on social media. “Unfortunately, I just won\u2019t be ready in time. I need to put my health and recovery first after surgery.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m 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\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

“Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them, but I\u2019ve learned that while we can\u2019t always control what happens, we can always choose our attitude and perspective. I\u2019m grateful for the resilience that sport has given me. Timing is everything. This time, the timing just wasn\u2019t on my side.. but you can be sure I\u2019ll be doing my best to be back on the water and come back fit, strong and healthy when the time is right.”<\/p>\n

\"Fox<\/p>\n

Fox Jessica celebrates after winning the canoe single gold medal in Paris. (Photo by Shen Bohan\/Xinhua via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Sadness for Jessica Fox after heartbreaking news<\/p>\n

Paddle Australia boss Kim Crane said Fox will be missed by the home team at the event in Penrith. “Jess’s health and recovery is the only thing that matters right now, and she has our full support,” Crane said in a statement.<\/p>\n

“While naturally we’re disappointed for Jess and the fans that won’t have the chance to see her compete at the home soil world championships, she’ll be in amongst her Australian teammates, cheering and supporting them … so we all look forward to seeing her in Penrith for the event.”<\/p>\n

Fox is a 14-time world champion and six-time Olympic medallist. She and sister Noemie <\/a>were one of the stories of the Paris Olympics last year when Noemie broke through for a stunning gold medal of her own. Jess jumped in the water to celebrate with her sister in beautiful scenes.<\/p>\n

Noemie will now take over as the headline act at the world championships, while fellow Olympians Tim Anderson, Tristan Carter and Lucien Delfour are also in the Aussie team. “I may not be racing, but you can bet I\u2019ll be the best cheerleader I can be,” Fox added.<\/p>\n

The event will be held at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, a legacy venue from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, from September 29 to October 4. Fans took to social media to wish Fox all the best in her recovery and express their sadness she won’t be at the world champs.<\/p>\n

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