Last month, Australia’s three-time Olympic champion Jessica Fox withdrew from the remaining World Cup events in Europe after undergoing surgery to remove a tumour. And she has confirmed she will now miss out on the 2025 Canoe Slalom World Championships being held in her own backyard of Penrith, as she is still recovering from the surgery.
It is the first time since 2010 that Jessica Fox will miss the world championships.
She wrote on Instagram, “I’m absolutely devastated to be missing this one – a world championships on my home course where I first watched my heroes at the Sydney Olympics, saw the first Aussie world title by Rob Bell in 2005, the course where I’ve grown up and learnt to paddle, trained every day to be the best. A home worlds is a once in a career opportunity and I was so excited and looking forward to it.”
Following her surgery, the 31-year-old slalom canoe champion shared it had been a “whirlwind” few weeks as she recovered from the procedure, which removed a tumour from her kidney. There were, however, some post-surgery complications.
Jessica shared a post to Instagram on late August 28, featuring a photo of herself lying in a hospital bed.
“It’s been a whirlwind over the last few weeks, but I’m all good – just a couple of gnarly new scars, a bit less kidney, and a whole lot more toughness,” she wrote.
“I’m feeling positive and looking forward to heading home, focusing on recovery, and then building towards being back on the water again.”
Jess continued to thank the “incredible medical staff” at the hospital for their care, and of course her “wonderful family and friends.”
The Australian Olympic Committee president Ian Chesterman shared his admiration for the sporting legend as she faces this next challenge.
“But the one thing we know is that Jess is an incredibly resilient person and she has faced this latest challenge with her renowned determination and fight, just as you’d expect,” he said.
“Through her incredible efforts in sport and the many other projects where she is making a difference, Jess has impacted on the lives of so many, not just in Australia but across the world. I know that all those people will now be cheering for her to make a full and speedy recovery and are looking forward to seeing her back on the water.
“Jess is an extraordinary person and a true inspiration. For now, she needs to concentrate on getting better and then we can’t wait to see her back in action.”
Jess has undoubtedly earned her spot as one of Australia’s best Olympians. In her incredible career, she has taken home six medals, including three gold medals across the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.
