Devastating penalty costs Jess Fox gold in the K1 canoe slalom at Tokyo Olympics
Seven-time world champion Jess Fox has once again been denied an Olympic gold medal, finishing third in the women's K1 slalom at the Tokyo Games.
After winning silver at London 2012 and bronze at Rio 2016, the 27-year-old Fox seemed set to finally fulfil her destiny and stand on the top step of the podium.
Having set the fastest time in the semi finals, Fox was the last of the 10 competitors to take to the course in the final, needing to beat the time of 105.50 set by Germany's Ricarda Funk.
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Despite finishing the course in 102.73, the fastest of any of the finalists, she picked up four penalty seconds for touching two of the gates, including the very last one. Had she avoided either of those penalties the gold medal would have been hers.
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 27: Jessica Fox of Team Australia reacts after her run in the Women's Kayak Slalom Final on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) Getty
Speaking before the Games began, Fox admitted the lack of an Olympic gold medal was what drove her on.
"It's what keeps the fire burning," she said.
Fox now has to focus on the heats of the C1 slalom that begin tomorrow.
