Fox sisters share one of Australian sports' highest honours

# Jessica and Noemie Fox share The Don Award at Sport Australia Hall of Fame Noemie and Jessica Fox have both received The Don Award at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame awards night. (AAP: Joel Carrett) ## In short: Sisters Jessica and Noemie Fox have been jointly handed The Don Award by the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. The Don Award honours an Australian athlete or team whose achievements over the past 12 months have "most inspired the nation". The sisters captured the minds of the country, both winning gold medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Among her glittering haul of Olympic medals and world titles Jessica Fox has said 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 on Monday, 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. "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. "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." ### Sport Australia Hall of Fame award winners **The Don Award:** Jessica Fox and Noemie Fox **The Dawn Award:** Lauren Jackson **New athlete members to Hall of Fame: **Mick Fanning (surfing), Mark Knowles (hockey), Karen Murphy (lawn bowls), Sally Pearson (athletics), Mark Skaife (motor sport), Liesl Tesch (dual sport Paralympian). **New general members to Hall of Fame: **Gerry Ryan, Betty Watson. ## The ABC of SPORT **AAP**