Jess Fox - Learn about the double Olympic canoe medallist chasing an elusive gold in Tokyo
Find out how the Australian became the world's most successful canoe slalom paddler, why she didn't enjoy the sport as a child, and how her secret weapon could be a four-legged friend.
Jessica Fox was born to be a canoe slalom paddler. The sport runs in her blood.
But her success has not been through natural talent alone.
It's taken a lot of hard work and dedication to her craft for the Australian to rise to the very top of her sport and become the most successful canoe paddler in the world.
Over the past 10 years, Fox has claimed 26 World Cup titles, 7 World Championships, and two Olympic medals... and her trophy haul expands constantly.
But there's one accolade she's been unable to add to her list - Olympic gold.
After winning K1 silver at London 2012 and bronze at Rio 2016, she's on a mission to complete her medal collection at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021.
When she competes at the Games in July as a 27-year-old, she'll also have the opportunity to take home more than one medal.
For the first time in Olympic history, slalom women will be able to compete in canoe events, as well as kayaks.
Women's C1 will make its Games debut as part of the IOC's commitment to gender equality and gender parity in Tokyo.
Continue reading to find out more about the woman who is the face of her sport.
Family affair for Jess Fox
Fox was born into an Olympic family in Marseille, France. Her parents are both Olympians.
Her mother Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi represented France, winning K1 bronze at Atlanta 1996. Father Richard Fox competed for Team GB at Barcelona 1992 and won 10 World Championship titles.
Jess is not their only daughter competing in the sport - more on that later - but when she was four, they moved to Australia, which is why she now dons the green and gold uniform.
Jessica FOX
Canoe success for Fox from a young age
After taking up paddling at 11, Fox says she didn't really enjoy the sport as a child. Her love of the whitewater came once she broke her arm and a physio encouraged her to do kayaking as rehabilitation.
By the time she was 13, the young Australian was beating competitors five years her senior.
As a 16-year-old she won the C1 and K1 junior world titles, before winning gold at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010.
Away from the water, she was excelling as well. Fox finished High School with the highest grades in her state and was named the Dux of Blaxland High School.
After collecting a haul of five junior world titles, the stage was set for her first Olympic Games in London.
As an 18-year-old, she became the youngest woman to ever medal in canoe slalom at the Olympics, coming away with silver.
It made her an international superstar almost overnight.
Australia's world-beating sister act
Jess isn't the only Fox competing on the water.
Younger sibling Noemie is a natural training partner, and the sisters are a force to be reckoned with.
They won the C1 team world together in 2019, along with teammate Ros Lawrence.
“It was really special to share that moment," Jess tells ABC Sport.
Fox: A challenging relationship with the coach
A daughter's relationship with her mother is always special, but imagine when you're a double Olympic medallist and a multiple world champion, with your mum being your coach. It makes the relationship even more special, but equally complex.
"She wears two hats. There's never a clear line when you're in that position to transition from being the coach to being the mum and back to being the coach," Jess tells ABC Sport.
"I think it's something we've taken in our stride, it's something that we really value, but it's also challenging at times too."
This Fox loves dogs
It doesn't take much scrolling on the Australian's Instagram to see Jessica Fox is a fan of dogs.
But due to her busy lifestyle travelling the globe competing, she's never been able to have a dog in her care, until now.
When the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, Jess and her family began fostering a greyhound named Pink.
"The day the Olympics were postponed, I thought, 'Well I'm stuck in Australia for at least 6 months, I can foster an animal," she shared in an exclusive interview with Olympic Channel.
But Pink has become much more than just a companion. She's become a key part of Fox's training schedule and a calming presence who supports her well-being.
Fox says walks with Pink helps clear her mind.
"We call her the assistant coach," Fox told The Daily Telegraph.
"Mum turned my old Olympic rain jacket into a jacket for Pink, and she parades around in her green and gold."
Speaking to Olympic Channel, Fox said she also likes the idea of having dogs at the Olympics.
"In the Olympic village that would be great if they could have a few dogs there. A few pups to de-stress." - Jess Fox.
Jessica Fox - Record breaker
In 2014 Fox made history as the first woman to win K1 and C1 World Championship titles in the same year.
But 2018 was her most incredible season yet. To say it was a big year is a monumental understatement.
She became the first athlete to ever win both K1 and C1 World Cup titles. She won eight World Cup Gold medals and became very first person to go undefeated through an entire C1 World Cup season. And to top it off, she also completed her Bachelor’s degree in Social Science Psychology.
To recognise her achievements, Fox was awarded 2018 Sportswoman of the Year at the World Paddle Awards.
Let's see what history she can add to this list competing at the Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre in Japan come the Olympics in July.