Among her glittering haul of Olympic medals and world titles Jessica Fox says she holds The Don Award dearly as it was won with her sister Noemie rather than by beating her.
The superstar paddlers shared one of the country’s most prestigious prizes at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame gala night, where basketball legend Lauren Jackson was honoured with The Dawn Award.
The night also celebrated newly-elevated ‘Legends’, squash great Geoff Hunt and Paralympics winter trailblazer Michael Milton.
Named for the organisation’s inaugural inductee, Sir Donald Bradman, The Don Award honours an Australian athlete or team whose achievements over the past 12 months have ‘most inspired the nation’.
‘What’s hard is that often we’re up against each other for these sorts of awards and so that’s tough, so to actually win it together is really special,’ 30-year-old Jessica Fox told AAP.
‘It’s been a journey that we’ve shared together, and Paris was so special for our whole family.
Noemie Fox (left) and Jessica Fox (right) won the 2024 Don Award after their performances at the Olympic Games
They were accompanied by their father Richard Fox (middle) as they celebrated the evening
Jessica (right) said that it was ‘really special’ to win the award alongside her sister (right)
‘It’s just been really incredible to see the impact that it’s had, and how many people who watched it felt the emotion and I think that’s especially what resonated with people.
‘I’ve won medals or different awards but this one is the biggest, the highest honour in Australian sport, and when you look at the list of other athletes who have won it in the past, it’s just crazy to think that we’re among them.’
While Jessica brought her Olympic medal collection to six, winning both the K1 and C1 events in Paris, the sisters produced an unforgettable moment when the unheralded Noemie won gold in the kayak cross.
The sight of an emotional Jessica jumping into the water to celebrate her younger sister’s success on her Olympic debut was one of the most memorable scenes of the Games.
Noemie told AAP the Fox family, including mother and coach Myriam, and father and commentator Richard, had re-watched the moment multiple times.
‘We definitely let ourselves enjoy the success, relive the success, because it was truly so special, truly unique and such a sensational Games for us,’ 27-year-old Noemie said.
‘I’m used to being in the shadows, and obviously the world and Australia specifically, has seen Jess as a sporting legend, but it does feel like suddenly with everyone knowing my name and knowing kayak cross since Paris, it’s been this whole new world.
‘Because they followed Jess so closely, they’ve really latched on and supported me as well, and that’s been incredibly special.
The sisters both clinched medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with Jessica (right) also bearing the Australian flag during the Opening Ceremony
Basketball legend Lauren Jackson was honoured during the evening as she won The Dawn Award
‘Feeling the whole of Australia behind you when you win in such a small sport was truly amazing.
‘And to receive an award together, and to know that our performance and the way we really supported each other really inspired the nation, it’s a huge privilege, and it’s something that we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.’
The Dawn Award, named after swimming great and SAHOF’s first female inductee Dawn Fraser, recognises an individual, team or organisation who ‘show courage and bravery and have changed sport for the better’.
Jackson, 43, became the first Australian athlete to win a medal in five Games when the Opals took bronze in Paris, and did so just a month before a knee replacement.
The former WNBA superstar leaves an enduring legacy at international level as well as in the WNBL, winning seven titles and four MVP awards.
Mother of two Jackson appeared headed for permanent retirement before returning to add leadership and experience to the Paris campaign, and did so basically on one leg.
‘I always said right from the beginning of me starting to play again that I was on borrowed time, and I knew that my knee at some point was going to go,’ Jackson told AAP.
‘And it did, but I got through and I’m so proud that I proved to myself that I could, and to be a part of something super special.’
