Olympic Games champion Jessica Fox announces surprise career move following all-conquering Paris campaign

Jessica Fox, Australia’s double gold medallist in Paris, will give athletes a voice on the International Olympic Committee.

Canoeist Fox is among four Olympians picked on Thursday by their peers to represent athletes at the IOC for the next eight years.

Fox joins the United States’ seven-time gold medallist Allyson Felix, German gymnast Kim Bui and New Zealand tennis player Marcus Daniell as freshly elected athletes.

The quartet were picked from a slate of 32 candidates – more than 6,500 athletes at the Paris Games cast votes.

The IOC have a maximum of 115 members, who include members of royal families in Europe and Asia, a head of state – the Emir of Qatar  – former heads of government, sports officials, former Olympic athletes and an Oscar-winning actor, Michelle Yeoh.

Member duties at annual IOC meetings include approving recommended candidates as future Olympic hosts.

The paddling sensation will fly all over the world as part of her role within the IOC

As an IOC Athletes’ Commission Member, Fox will not receive a salary but be the beneficiary of a number of perks. 

The IOC will cover her expenses while she is on duty, including travel, accommodation and meals. Members also travel business class while the IOC also pays for their spouses to travel business class. 

The IOC has been criticised for them money it spends on its members, with detractors arguing that the non-profit organisation would be better off spending its money on developing sport and supporting athletes.