Australian kayaker Jessica Fox clinched the gold medal in the women’s K1 slalom event at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Sunday, July 28, showcasing her dominance in the sport. Fox, who had previously finished eighth in the semifinals, delivered a flawless performance in the final, completing the course in 96.08 seconds. This victory marks Fox’s second Olympic title and her fifth Olympic medal overall, cementing her status as one of the most decorated athletes in the sport.Polish athlete Klaudia Zwolinska secured the silver medal with a time of 97.53 seconds, just 1.45 seconds behind Fox. British kayaker Kimberley Woods rounded out the podium, claiming bronze with a time of 98.94 seconds. Brazilian Ana Sátila narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth with a time of 100.69 seconds, marking Brazil’s best-ever result in Olympic slalom canoeing.The event saw disappointments for several high-profile competitors. German Ricarda Funk, the reigning Olympic champion from Tokyo 2020, finished 11th after incurring a 50-second penalty for missing a gate. Spanish veteran Maialen Chourraut, a triple Olympic medalist, struggled with an early mistake and finished 12th in what may be her final Olympic appearance.Fox’s victory was particularly emotional, as she comes from a family of canoe slalom champions. Her parents, Richard Fox and Myriam Jerusalmi, are both legends in the sport and have been instrumental in her training. Fox expressed her elation after the win, stating, ‘That was the most incredible moment, I think, of my life. That was amazing.’ With this victory, Fox has set her sights on an unprecedented feat: winning three gold medals at the Paris Olympics. She will also compete in the canoe slalom (C1) and kayak cross (KX1) events in the coming days.
Key points
- Jessica Fox won gold in women’s K1 slalom at Paris 2024 Olympics.
- Klaudia Zwolinska and Kimberley Woods secured silver and bronze medals respectively.
- Ana Sátila finished fourth, achieving Brazil’s best-ever result in Olympic slalom canoeing.
- Several favorites, including Ricarda Funk and Maialen Chourraut, had disappointing performances.
- Fox aims for an unprecedented three gold medals at the Paris Olympics.
