Australian canoe superstar Jessica Fox has been making headlines left and right, from her gold-medal-winning performance at the Paris Olympics to her impressive endorsement deals with top brands like Adidas and Red Bull.
But behind the scenes, Fox has been dealing with a more personal change: the end of her nine-year relationship with French partner Mathieu Biazizzo.
Growing apart: the reason behind the split
The 30-year-old Fox and Biazizzo, 33, reportedly “grew apart” due to the long periods of time they spent apart, pursuing their respective canoe careers. It’s not hard to imagine how difficult it must be to maintain a relationship when you’re constantly on different continents, competing in different events. Despite their best efforts, the couple ultimately decided to go their separate ways in May, just before Fox’s triumphant performance at the Paris Olympics.
A whirlwind year for Fox
It’s been an incredible year for Fox, to say the least. She’s won multiple World Cups, two gold medals at the Paris Olympics, and has been in high demand from sponsors. Her younger sister, Noemie, also brought home gold in the Kayak cross event, making it a successful Olympics for the Fox family.
From Paris to LA: Fox’s future plans
As Fox gears up for the LA Olympics in 2028, she’s been keeping busy with endorsement deals and competitions. She’ll be competing at the Oceania Championships in January next year, followed by the Canoe Slalom World Championships in Penrith in October. But the big question on everyone’s mind is: will she continue to compete at the 2032 Games in Brisbane, when she’ll be 38? Only time will tell.
A family of champions
Fox’s success is no surprise, given her family’s impressive athletic background. Her mum, Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi, is a bronze medalist in canoeing from the 1996 Olympics, and her dad, Richard, is a five-time world champion who represented Great Britain at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics. In fact, Richard had the rare honor of live calling Jess’ gold medal win in the K1 final – a moment that must have been incredibly proud for the whole family.
A flagbearer and a legend
Four-time Olympian Fox served as one of Australia’s flagbearers at the recent opening ceremony, a feat she called “probably the greatest moment of my career.” With her impressive resume and dedication to her sport, it’s no wonder Fox is regarded by many as the greatest female paddler of all time. As she looks to the future, one thing is certain: Jessica Fox will continue to make waves in the world of canoeing.