Jessica Fox to Miss Canoe Slalom World Championships After Kidney Tumour Surgery
Three-time Olympic gold medallist withdraws from home worlds in Penrith as she recovers from surgery and complications
Jessica Fox will not compete at the Canoe Slalom World Championships in Penrith this month as she continues to recover from surgery to remove a tumour from her left kidney, the Australian paddler announced.
The 31-year-old, a three-time Olympic gold medallist and 14-time world champion, revealed in August that she had experienced complications following the operation and has since withdrawn from the final two rounds of the European World Cup circuit. The world championships at the Whitewater course in Penrith begin on Sept. 29.
"I'm absolutely devastated to be missing this one," Fox wrote on Instagram, describing the Sydney course as the place where she grew up paddling and first watched Olympic heroes. She said a home world championships was "a once in a career opportunity" but that "life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them."
Fox said she has "quite a few weeks left" of recovery and acknowledged she had "major FOMO (fear of missing out)" about not racing. "I am itching to be back out there," she said, adding she would focus on recovering "when I'm fit and healthy and strong." She offered support for the event, saying she would be "the best cheerleader I can be."
The withdrawal marks the first time Fox will miss the world championships since 2010. She had won the opening three legs of the European World Cup series in Spain, France and Czechia before pulling out of the remaining rounds.
Fox carried the Australian flag at the Paris Olympics last year and won two gold medals there; her sister, Noemie Fox, also won gold in the slalom kayak cross final at Paris. Fox's career includes a long list of international titles and medals across Olympic and world championship competition.
Details released by Fox and her team described the surgery as the removal of a tumour from the left kidney; officials have not released additional medical information. Fox did not specify the nature of the complications beyond saying they extended her recovery timeline.
Organisers of the world championships in Penrith confirmed start dates and course arrangements but did not comment on individual athlete entries beyond noting final entry lists would be published closer to the event. Fox's decision will open selection opportunities for other Australian paddlers on the home course.
Fox said in her Instagram post that while she was disappointed, she accepted the timing and would prioritise long-term health and a return to competition when cleared. No timetable was provided for her full return to racing.