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Aussie canoeist Jess Fox's ingenious alternate use for Olympic condoms

andrew reid
·3-min read
Jess Fox shared a video demonstrating how condoms can be used to repair a damaged kayak. Pic: Instagram/Getty
Jess Fox shared a video demonstrating how condoms can be used to repair a damaged kayak. Pic: Instagram/Getty

The provision of condoms at the Athletes' Village has long been associated with the Olympic Games, but not many people could have predicted one way they are being used by competitors.

Aussie canoeist Jess Fox - who claimed bronze in the K1 after a drama-filled final on Tuesday - shared her ingenious use of the prophylactics in Tokyo, and how they assist with repairs to her kayak.

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The multiple world champion and three-time Olympic medallist posted a video to her Instagram page that showed how a condom can be used to help patch up a kayak after the natural wear and tear of competition.

It starts with a carbon mixture being placed on the kayak’s damaged nose, before using the condom to hold the mixture in place.

The 27-year-old explains the process and says the condom gives the carbon a nice, smooth finish that's ideal for streamlining purposes in the water.

“Bet you never knew condoms could be used for kayak repairs,” Fox captioned a video of the repair process.

“Very stretchy, much strong. It gives the carbon a smooth finish.”

Jessica Fox's second shot at gold medal

Despite her heartbreak after missing out on gold in the K1 on Tuesday, Fox has another chance at gold in the C1 - with the event added to the Games schedule in Tokyo.

Fox backed up her K1 bronze medal by qualifying fifth fastest for the C1 semi-finals on Wednesday, with the Aussie set to race on Thursday.

The Aussie was hot favourite for the K1 gold medal on Tuesday but a late penalty saw her relegated to another bronze, after the same result in Rio and a silver medal in London.

Australia's Jess Fox won bronze in the K1 canoe slalom, despite entering the event as a heavy favourite, after earning an early penalty in the final. Pictures: Getty Images/Channel 7
Australia's Jess Fox won bronze in the K1 canoe slalom, despite entering the event as a heavy favourite, after earning an early penalty in the final. Pictures: Getty Images/Channel 7

After laying down the second best run in the opening C1 qualifying round on Wednesday, Fox appeared to take a relaxed approach to the second race.

She hit the two gates on the upper part of the course but safely navigated the rest, cruising to the finish line.

With the two errors adding four seconds to her score, she was 5.87 seconds behind British leader Mallory Franklin but easily advanced through to the next round.

Germany's reigning world champion Andrea Herzog sent a warning, delivering the second-fastest time with the semi-final and medal race to come on Thursday.

The C1 is a new event in Tokyo, adding to the schedule in place of a men's C2 to give the sport gender parity.

with agencies

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