Jess Fox blitzes field to claim kayak single gold for Australia at Paris Olympics

Australia’s flag bearer Jess Fox has delivered under huge pressure to continue her country’s golden start to the Games, winning the women’s kayak at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium in eastern Paris.

The 30-year-old came into Sunday’s semi-final with the fastest time in Saturday’s heats but slipped to eighth before the medal race, triggering fears she may not live up the expectations that come with being the face of the Australian team in Paris.

But she produced a brilliant display in the final, finishing the course in a clean 96 seconds, winning by one and a half seconds over Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska. Great Britain’s Kimberley Woods won bronze after Germany’s Ricarda Funk picked up a penalty.

More to follow.