The memory from the last upstream gate at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium is still vivid for Noemie Fox.
Playing like a highlight reel at the back of her head, it was the moment when the 28-year-old became Olympic champion, Noemie Fox.
To say life has never been the same for the Australian since Paris 2024 would be an understatement.
Awards, recognitions, and fame followed, and along with it came expectations.
Click here for results from Pau
“Going into the Games, I did not have that many expectations. It was so hard for me to get there with the qualification process that I just wanted to do my best as clichéd as that sounds,” Fox said.
“I just wanted to go out there and show what I was capable of. There are a lot of medals in the Fox family and everyone keeps telling me: ‘You will be next; you will get the gold too’.
“Today is different. Having a title like that to my name, I think there is a lot more internal pressure than external pressure.”
With the field getting bigger and better, Fox can sense the rise of more kayak cross specialists.
View this post on Instagram
But instead of feeling threatened, she is trying to see it as a learning opportunity.
“I hope we see more specialists in kayak cross. I think those on the podium are taking it extremely seriously and are becoming specialists,” she added.
“It is evolving fast and there are some masters out there that I am learning from. I think we also need to have the right training conditions to be specialists.
“At the moment, it is restricted due to the training requirements and having only one training session before a main event compared to slalom.”
Apart from the mission to prove that she can continue competing at the level of an Olympic champion, Fox is also working on transferring some of those kayak cross skills to C1 and K1.
At the first International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup of the season last weekend, she reached the women's K1 final but was not able to make an impact.
View this post on Instagram
She could not make it to the medal races in the C1 and kayak cross but is not going to be fazed by that this season.
Instead, Fox is going to put her head down, focus on herself, and ignore the comparisons.
“I think what helps me get to the highest level is to concentrate on what I have in my toolbox, and not focus on the results and comparison, but centre it on what I can do on the course and try to rebuild my confidence,” Fox added.
“After reaching the highest level, the confidence tank can still empty straightway. So, I have worked with my sports psychologist and the whole team to find ways to build that confidence and find different sources of confidence.
“That has been a lot of work in progress. I think that is something that I am constantly trying to do so I can arrive on the day and feel as confident in myself and my skills as possible.”
Full coverage of the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
Join Planet Canoe's YouTube channel for €9.99 per month to unlock members-only content and features
Read YouTube's frequently asked questions for more details.
Related links
