Published: 30 March 2020
Last updated: 4 March 2024
How disappointing is it to have your Olympic dreams on hold for another 12 months?
It is obviously disappointing to know that we won’t be competing this year when we feel ready, but the health and safety of everyone and dealing with this global crisis is the most important thing and an extra year will give us the chance to prepare as we can once we get through this phase.
It was ironic that on the day it was announced the Games would be postponed, we were meant to be flying to Tokyo for our first training camp on the whitewater course and I also received my Olympic kayak… which will most likely stay in the garage for a few months!
What have these last few weeks been like as it became increasingly clear that the Games could not proceed?
Just seeing how everything is unfolding around the world, it didn’t seem possible to have the Olympics this year, so I guess I have been mentally preparing for that outcome. There was a lot of uncertainty over the last few weeks, turning up to training unsure of when the last sessions would be, so it’s good to finally have the clarity that the Games are postponed so we can relax and focus on our health and safety and go back to specific training when we are cleared to do so.
What does the postponement mean for your preparation?
The goal hasn’t changed, it’s just the date that has and the process to get there will need some major adjustment. But it is what it is and what the world is dealing with. For now I feel lucky that we have been able to train outdoors, go on the river and up until now still train on whitewater, where a lot of international athletes have been in lockdown for weeks and unable to leave the house.
What sort of training can you do during isolation?
Until we go into strict lockdown, I am still able to paddle on the flatwater on the Nepean River by myself. I’m grateful that I have a home with a backyard where I can do some home workouts. Our training gym has closed, we’ve all taken some weights, dumbbells and equipment to be able to do some maintenance and strength work at home so I can do some pull ups, my lifting and body weight exercises, and Pilates, which are all part of my usual training.
Can you get out on to the water?
No more training on whitewater. We don’t know when the next time will be, but for now I can still go on the flatwater.
How are you dealing mentally with the Games being put on hold?
I think I’m in a good place to take this in my stride, adapt and overcome. I know a lot of athletes are struggling with this news because perhaps their bodies aren’t in the best shape to push another year, or they had planned retirement, but I feel OK. I keep working on the things I can and let go of what I can’t control.
You started this year ranked Number 1 in both C1 (canoe) and K1 (kayak) categories. Do you feel you are the top of your game?
Yes, it’s been a great few years of competition for me, and the exciting part is that I still feel like I have a lot to improve on!
You’ve won Olympic silver (London 2012) and bronze (Rio 2016). How deep does the fire burn to go one better and win a gold medal in Tokyo?
It’s a huge motivator to try and get to Tokyo 2020 (+1!) in the best shape possible mentally, physically and technically to perform at my best.
You’ve already tested out the Olympic course at Kasai course. What were your impressions? Does it have a particular characteristic?
The engineers and course designers who designed the Rio course also did the Japan course so there are some similarities between them. It’s close to Disney World and there is a big ferris wheel that you can see from the start line and on the other side you can see Mt Fuji on a clear day.
It’s quite beautiful. I really enjoyed my time there and was looking forward to getting back on the water in Tokyo this month but that will have to wait! For now, I’ll just watch some videos (laughs).
The last 12 months has seen an explosion in the interest in, and popularity of women’s sport in Australia and you are now among the most high-profile female athletes in the country. Have you noticed this?
Yes, it’s been wonderful to see the interest and exposure of female athletes grow over the last couple years. It’s such a shame that all sport is put on hold this year. But it will make for a great show next year, and I’m proud to be a part of the country’s awesome group of women who are leading the way in sport at the moment.
Photo: Jessica Fox holding her 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medal (Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP)
