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Jess Fox calls it “the perfect booster”.
Although she has yet to hit her peak, the Australian rowing champion says the prospect of competing on home soil next year is now fueling her motivation.
Fox did it all in canoeing and kayaking — three gold medals, a silver and two bronze out of four Olympics; 22 world championship medals — the most of any rower.
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But she craves more.
“It’s a matter of staying motivated,” Fox told AAP.
“And the day I don’t have that hunger to train as required and compete and lose that enjoyment of my sport, then that’s the day I stop.
“For me, I’m lucky: I love what I do, I have an amazing team that helps me be the best I can be, and I love pushing myself in training.
“And next year we have the world championships in Penrith, so that will keep me hungry and excited for the next 12 months.
“And then, it’s the build up to LA (the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics).”
The 30-year-old was Australia’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of this year’s Paris Olympics, where she also shared the joy of her younger sister Noemi, who also won gold.
Fox has been revered since returning home after her heroics in Paris, where she won two more gold medals.
Fox received Sport Australia’s The Don award, alongside her sister; won Sport NSW Sportsperson of the Year for the sixth time – and became an A-list celebrity.
Participation in numerous sporting events and television shows; attending the Lodges; strutting down the L’Oréal catwalk—as in her sport, Fox has done it all.
And the praise surprised her.
“I’m definitely still pinching myself … there’s a lot of multitasking going on right now,” Fox said.
“It’s been an amazing time to be home and to have this time now to reflect and celebrate.
“Winning the gold obviously means it’s more visible and your sport is more visible.
“But I didn’t realize how big it was and how many people were watching and how many people were invested in K1 and then C1 for me.
“And then how many people followed Noemi’s journey and that whole story and family moment really resonated with people and inspired so many.
“It made them emotional. And that’s what’s so beautiful about this sport.
“You’re there for the thrill of the ride and the joy … but it’s amazing to see the impact it’s had on people.”
In a purely sporting sense, Fox is still not satisfied.
“I’ve always set goals in terms of how good I can be – how I can improve, what I have left to achieve, what my potential is,” she said after winning this year’s Sport NSW award.
“And I feel I still have something to give in my sport.
“The fact that I like to train and the variety is important in three disciplines (canoe, kayak sprint, kayak slalom) keeps it fresh and enjoyable.
“The break is important to reset after the matches.
“But the world champs in Penrith at home next year is the perfect incentive to get back into it.
“Whether it’s in the gym or technically or even physically in the water, it’s definitely something I haven’t reached yet.”
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