Devastated but resilient, Jess Fox withdraws from home world champs after tumour removal

For the first time in 15 years, three-time Olympic champion Jess Fox will not be at the startline for the canoe slalom world championships.

The Australian canoeing great will miss the event in Penrith on her home course later this month after having surgery to remove a tumour from her kidney.

Fox, who grew up in Penrith after moving from France with her family, said she was “devastated” to miss her home championships, but that she had to prioritise her health.

“Unfortunately, I just won’t be ready in time. I need to put my health and recovery first after surgery,” Fox 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.

“Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them, but I’ve learned that while we can’t always control what happens, we can always choose our attitude and perspective.”

Fox said she was grateful for the resilience the sport had given her, even though timing wasn’t on her side

“But you can be sure I’ll be doing my best to be back on the water and come back fit, strong and healthy when the time is right.”

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This is the first time since 2005 that Australia has hosted the world championships.

Paddle Australia chief executive officer Kim Crane, said Fox would be missed as part of the Australian line-up.

“Jess’s health and recovery is the only thing that matters right now, and she has our full support,” Crane said.

“Jess’ courage, resilience and ability to make sense of life’s most challenging moments with a positive mindset and a splash of humour, are some of the things all Australians admire most and are inspired by, and we believe that by prioritising her recovery there’s a greater chance she’ll be back on the water in the near future.”

Fox posted about her health challenges on Instagram last month when she announced she was recovering from a successful operation to remove a tumour on her kidney. The 31-year-old also withdrew from the last two rounds of the European World Cup circuit.

“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 posted.

Fox’s surgery news was greeted with a wave of support on social media from other Australian athletes and artists, including tennis champion and 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott, Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, Olympic swimming champion Ariarne Titmus and actor Lincoln Lewis.

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