Jess Fox 'devastated' to miss world championships after health scare
Jess Fox was supposed to be preparing to compete at the Slalom World Championships, which kick off today in Sydney's west.
But a major health scare last month forced the 3x Olympic gold medallist to withdraw.
It was a heartbreaking blow for Australia's queen of the canoe, but ever the trooper, Jess will be the team's biggest cheerleader from the sidelines.
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Jess Fox will be acting in a mentor role for those competing this year. Today
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Today's Sarah Abo visited the 31-year-old at Penrith Whitewater Stadium for an exclusive update on how she's going with her recovery and how she really feels about missing out on the 2025 Slalom World Championships, being hosted right in her own backyard.
"I'm devastated about this one, any other year I wouldn't have cared to miss a world champs, but obviously being a home event it's a once-in-a-career opportunity," Jess said.
"So obviously I am heartbroken to not be out there racing alongside my team-mates and to have a crack at earning a place on the podium, but I think you've got to look at it in a positive way.
"I still get to be part of this event, in a promotional sense with all the stakeholders, with the school kids who are doing the tours around here and the fans.
"So I'm also being more of a mentor to my teammates and the young girls on the team who are replacing me, but I think it'll be hard to watch the racing - I'll definitely have FOMO."
Jess was desperate to compete in the world championships this year. Getty
But her health and recovery had to come first. Instagram
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However, as much as Jess will miss being out in the water competing this year, she said her recent health scare is a reminder to listen to your body and act when you feel something isn't right.
Just last month she noticed some pains in her abdomen area and was concerned it may be appendicitis (something Sarah knows all too well about after her own scare last year).
But specialist scans revealed something potentially more sinister was causing her discomfort.
"They came across this tumour on the kidney, which was about 4.5cm big - so it was a sizeable growth and, you know, that's pretty scary," she said.
"But the main thing was to get it out and obviously the the word cancer gets thrown around, which is very scary - but in the end it wasn't, it was benign, but it still had to come out."
Jess wants everyone to listen to their bodies and if something doesn't feel right, get it checked by your doctor. Today
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Jess admitted it was a real shock, as an Olympian she is supposed to be one of the healthiest types of people in the world.
But even the fittest individuals who look after their bodies impeccably, are susceptible to some illnesses.
"It can happen to anyone, so I guess my message is always if you've got anything that you're worried about with your health, go get it checked - do not leave it," she said.
You can catch all the coverage of the ICF Slalom World Champs exclusively and live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Hear Sarah's full exclusive interview with Jess Fox in the video above
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