Australian Jewish canoe slalomist Jessica Fox is having herself quite the Paris Olympics. She’s already defended her gold medal title in the single canoe slalom, which she first won at the Tokyo Olympics, and won an additional gold medal in women’s kayak single. This result is an upgrade from a bronze medal finish at Tokyo, another bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, all in women’s kayak single. It also cements her as one of the winningest Jewish and Australian Olympians of all time.
Jessica’s success can of course be attributed to her athletic prowess, calm under pressure and dedicated training regime. Accolades should also go to her coaching staff — her primary coach is her mom, former Olympic canoe slalomist Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi. But there’s also another very important and adorable “assistant coach” on Jessica’s team that we should all be praising: Her rescue greyhound Miss Pink!
Jessica and her sister, fellow Olympic canoe slalomist Noémie Fox, rescued Pink in 2020 after the Tokyo Olympics were postponed. “Since we are home for several months, I decided to apply to foster a greyhound in need… she’s weird and lovable and we are obsessed,” Jessica wrote at the time. Soon after, it seems that Miss Pink became an asset in helping Jessica prepare for the Olympics. Jessica’s profile on the Olympics website cites Pink as “a key part of her training schedule and a calming presence.” ”
“We call her the assistant coach,” Jessica has said.
Let’s see Pink’s coaching technique in action:
But what about when Jessica is out on the water? Let’s see how Miss Pink helps Jessica while in the canoe:
Absolutely perfect. We have no notes.
Unfortunately, pets aren’t allowed in the Olympic Village. So Miss Pink is likely watching Jessica make Olympic history and Noémie debut at the Olympics from home in Australia. But we can only hope that sometime soon Pink will get her own gold medal for being such a good girl.
