Tokyo 2020 canoe slalom gold medalist Jessica Fox has been appointed to the IOC Athletes' Commission, giving canoeing a tremendous boost for upcoming Olympic cycles.
The appointment of the four-time Olympic medallist and eight time world champion guarantees a strong voice for canoe sports within the Olympic movement.
IOC President Thomas Bach said the addition of the Australian would ensure a balance between genders, regions and sports within the commission. He also spoke of the importance of having a strong representation from Oceania ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
Fox is an eight-time canoe slalom world champion, and also won gold at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. The 27-year-old was a member of the most recent ICF athlete committee, and has also been a member of the Australian Olympic Committee’s athlete commission.
“I am very honoured to have been asked to join the IOC Athletes’ Commission and contribute to the future of the Olympic movement for the next generation of Olympians,” Fox said.
“I have learned a great deal from my time on the Australian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission and I’m excited to now have the opportunity to serve the global athlete community.
“It’s an exciting time to be involved, with Beijing 2022 just around the corner, Paris 2024 only three years away and, for us down under, helping shape Brisbane 2032. I look forward to meeting the other members of the IOC Athletes’ Commission and working with them.”
Outgoing ICF President, Jose Perurena, said the appointment of Fox to such an important role was a good result for canoeing.
“Jessica Fox has been a wonderful role model for canoeing since she first began competing as a teenager and winning world titles,” Perurena said.
“Jessica has worked tirelessly to promote equality in our sport, and her performances on the world stage have been breathtaking. It was very fitting she won the first ever Olympic gold medal in women’s C1 in Tokyo after all her hard work.
“Everyone is aware how important it is to have strong voices inside the Olympic movement, and we are very grateful the IOC, and President Thomas Bach, for once again recognising the standing of canoe sports in the international community.”
The IOC Athletes Commission plays a central role within the Olympic movement, and is composed of a maximum of 23 members, 12 of whom are directly chosen through elections during the Games, with a maximum of 11 appointed members.
Three-time canoe slalom Olympic champion Tony Estanguet served on the IOC Athletes’ Commission from 2012, before taking on the role as President of the Organising Committee for Paris 2024.
