Jessica Fox elected to IOC as voice for athletes
Australia’s golden girl Jessica Fox will represent athletes on the International Olympic Committee after being voted in by her peers in Paris.
Gold medallist Australian canoeist Jessica Fox Pic: Dean Lewins/AAP
Jessica Fox, Australia’s double gold medallist in Paris, says her election to the International Olympic Committee’s athletes commission is perfectly timed in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Games.
Canoeist Fox is among four Olympians picked on Thursday by their peers to represent athletes at the IOC for the next eight years.
“With the term running through to Brisbane 2032, that is fantastic for us as a host nation to ensure that the athlete experience is at the heart of the Olympic movement right into that Brisbane runway,” Fox said.
“The next steps are Los Angeles (2028) and debriefing Paris with the commission.
“I am very excited to raise the issues that are important to the athletes.
“The athlete experience at these Paris Games has been excellent with innovations like the Champions Park, bringing the community and the fans together with the athletes.
“I am just in a little disbelief about these Olympics, it has been quite the rollercoaster, but it’s just a huge honour to join the IOC family.”
Fox joins the United States’ seven-time gold medallist Allyson Felix, German gymnast Kim Bui and New Zealand tennis player Marcus Daniell as freshly elected athletes.
The quartet were picked from a slate of 32 candidates – more than 6,500 athletes at the Paris Games cast votes with Fox receiving 1,567 votes.
Australian Olympic Committee president Ian Chesterman said Fox’s election was just reward.
“(It) is testament to the esteem in which she is held,” he said.
“She understands the needs of athletes in this contemporary world and has developed a strong appreciation of the Olympic movement more broadly.
“Clearly that has resonated with her fellow athletes.”
From: Steve Larkin /AAP
Excellent choice.