Olympic champion Jess Fox and her fellow kayaking sister are facing an awkward reality ahead of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
A new rule from the International Olympic Committee means younger sister Noemie could end up sacrificing her own hopes for her more accomplished sibling.
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The Fox sisters will compete in separate categories for places in the Australian team for the Paris Olympics, which get underway in just over 12 months.
But their paths are still likely to cross in a “difficult” qualifying scenario.
Jess Fox is a world class competitor in the closed canoe (C1) and kayak (K1) events.
A change from the IOC, however, means an athlete who has qualified in the C1 cannot be considered for a place in qualifying for the kayak event.
In order for Jess to compete in the K1, she needs another Australian – most likely sister Noemie – to earn a quota spot for Australia.
It means competitors are trying to qualify the boat, not themselves.
After the qualification process, Paddle Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee will decide which athlete should compete in which category, meaning Noemie is likely to be sacrificed to give her sister two chances to compete in Paris.
Jess Fox is a multiple world and Olympic medallist and among the greatest canoeists of all time. Sister Noemie, 26, won gold at the 2019 world championships but has yet to make her Olympic debut.
Paddle Australia national performance director Kim Crane explained the competition between the sisters is no different to any regular contest.
“It’s no different in the sense the two girls are always competing, essentially, under the umbrella for Australia, but they’re actually lining up as individual athletes against each other,” she said.
“That’s the beauty of their relationship is they are supportive of each other but at the same time know they’re out to challenge each other to be the best they can be as individual athletes. But there’s no doubt it’s difficult.
“In a normal team environment it’s difficult, but when you’re battling against your sister, it’s really difficult.”
Paddle Australia is currently going through its strategy towards the senior world championships in September, which is the qualification process for the Olympics.
