Jess Fox reveals new motivation after Olympic domination

Jess Fox calls it the “perfect booster”.

Adamant she has yet to reach her peak, Australia’s champion paddler says the prospect of racing on home soil next year is now fuelling her motivation.

Fox has achieved it all in a canoe and kayak — three gold medals, a silver and two bronze from four Olympics; 22 world championship medals — the most of any paddler.

But she craves more.

“It is that question of how do you stay motivated,” Fox told AAP.

“And the day that I don’t have that hunger to train like it is required and to race and I lose that enjoyment for my sport, then that is the day that I stop.

“For me, I am lucky: I love what I do, I have got an amazing team who help me be the best I can be and I love pushing myself in training.

“And next year we have got the world championships in Penrith so that is what is going to keep me hungry and excited for the next 12 months.

“And after that, it’s that build-up to LA (the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics).”

The 30-year-old was Australia’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony at this year’s Olympics in Paris, where she also shared the joy of her younger sister Noemie also winning gold.

Fox has been feted since returning home after her heroics in Paris, where she won two more gold medals.

Fox has collected Sport Australia’s The Don award, jointly with her sister; won Sport NSW’s athlete of the year for a sixth time - and become an A-list celebrity.

Appearances at numerous sporting events and television shows; attending the Logies; strutting on a L’Oréal catwalk - like in her sport, Fox has done it all.

And the adulation has caught her by surprise.

“Definitely still pinching myself ... at the moment there is multi-tasking happening all the time,” Fox said.

“It has been an incredible time being at home and having that time now to reflect and to celebrate.

“Winning gold obviously means it is more visible and your sport is more visible.

“But I didn’t realise just how big that was and how many people watched and how many people were invested in for me the K1 and then the C1.

“And then how many followed Noemie’s journey and that whole story and family moment really resonated with people and inspired so many.

“It made them feel emotion. And that is what is so beautiful about this sport.

“You’re there for the thrill of the ride and you’re feeling to joy ... but it’s incredible to see the impact that it has had on people.”

In a pure sporting sense, Fox is not yet content.

“I have always been a goal-setter in terms of how good can I be - how can I improve, what is left to achieve, what is my potential,” she said after winning this year’s Sport NSW award.

“And I feel like I still have more to give in my sport.

“The fact that I enjoy training, and the variety is important in three disciplines (canoe, kayak sprint, kayak slalom), that keeps it fresh and enjoyable as well.

“The break is important post-Games to reset.

“But the world champs in Penrith at home next year are the perfect booster to get back in to it.

“Whether it’s in the gym or technically or even physically on the water, it is definitely something that I haven’t plateaued yet.”