Jess Fox makes major call on 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after taking post-Games break
The paddler says the hunger for success is still there and plans on continuing on to the 2028 Games.
Australian canoeist Jess Fox says she has no plans to retire anytime soon and believes if anything her best is still yet to come. Adamant she has yet to reach her peak in the sport, Australia's champion paddler says the prospect of racing on home soil next year has fuelled her to get back to training after a break after the Paris Games.
The three-time Olympic gold medallist then says her attention will turn to the Los Angeles Games in 2028. Fox has achieved it all in a canoe and kayak - three gold medals, a silver and two bronze from four Olympics; 22 world championship medals - the most of any paddler. But there is no plan for the 30-year-old to leave the sport anytime soon as she says she craves more success and will once again hunt for gold in LA in what would be her fifth Olympics.
"The day that I don't have that hunger to train like it is required and to race and I lose that enjoyment for my sport, then that is the day that I stop," Fox told AAP. "(But) for me, I am lucky: I love what I do, I have got an amazing team who help me be the best I can be and I love pushing myself in training.
"And next year we have got the world championships in Penrith so that is what is going to keep me hungry and excited for the next 12 months. And after that, it's that build-up to LA (the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics)."
Fox says the break after the Olympics was necessary but it has her ready to get back into it. "The fact that I enjoy training, and the variety is important in three disciplines (canoe, kayak sprint, kayak slalom), that keeps it fresh and enjoyable as well.
"The break is important post-Games to reset. But the world champs in Penrith at home next year are the perfect booster to get back into it. Whether it's in the gym or technically or even physically on the water, it is definitely something that I haven't plateaued yet."
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Jess Fox surprised by fame she gained from Paris triumphs
The 30-year-old was Australia's flag bearer at the opening ceremony at this year's Olympics in Paris, where she also shared the joy of her younger sister Noemie also winning gold. Fox added two more golds of her own and has since picked up several more awards to add her growing trophy cabinet.
Fox has collected Sport Australia's The Don award, jointly with her sister; won Sport NSW's athlete of the year for a sixth time - and become somewhat of an A-list celebrity, much to her surprise. Since Paris she has appeared at numerous sporting events and television shows and Fox says it all caught her a bit off guard.
"Definitely still pinching myself ... at the moment there is multi-tasking happening all the time," Fox said. "It has been an incredible time being at home and having that time now to reflect and to celebrate.
"Winning gold obviously means it is more visible and your sport is more visible. But I didn't realise just how big that was and how many people watched and how many people were invested in for me the K1 and then the C1.
"And then how many followed Noemie's journey and that whole story and family moment really resonated with people and inspired so many. It made them feel emotion. And that is what is so beautiful about this sport. You're there for the thrill of the ride and you're feeling to joy ... but it's incredible to see the impact that it has had on people."
with AAP
