Jewish slalom canoeist Noemie Fox clinched the gold medal in the Women’s Kayak Cross event at the Paris Olympics on Monday.
In a standout performance, Noemie dominated the quarterfinals and edged out her sister, Jessica Fox, a three-time Olympic medalist, to secure a spot in the final. This victory marked Noemie’s first gold medal and a remarkable Olympic debut.
At 27, Noemie outpaced British world champion Kimberly Woods, who took bronze, and French competitor Angèle Hug, who earned silver.
After Jessica Fox, 30, successfully defended her gold medal in the C-1 event and secured her first gold in the K-1 canoe slalom at the Tokyo Olympics, it was younger sister Noemie’s turn to make her mark in Olympic history.
Noemie surged ahead in the final run, initially positioning herself in second place at the first gate before taking the lead after mastering the first upstream gate.
Despite fierce competition from British contender Kimberly Woods, Noemie maintained her lead, crossing the finish line to the cheers of her family. Both Jessica and their mother, former Olympic canoeist Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi, celebrated by jumping into the water to join Noemie.
* The Jewish Chronicle contributed to this article.