Name: Joshua Riker-Fox
CAN Fund Recipient Since: 2008
Sport: Modern Pentathlon
Best Result:
Pan American Games Bronze Medalist
2008 Olympian (24th)
Many Top 20 World Cup Results
3-time World Cup Final Qualifier
Hometown: Delacour, AB
Nickname: Delacour, AB
Horoscope Sign: Virgo
On The National Team Since: 2003
How does being a CAN Fund Recipient make a difference for you?
Joining this year’s group of CAN Fund recipients is incredibly important to me. In my sport, we are quite independent, with no support from Sport Canada, OTP, or the COC. To compete, we must build our own support system to reach our goals. The support of CAN Fund is such a huge aspect. It’s hard to put into words how discouraging it can feel at times to battle away in your sport with no financial or moral support from the organizations that fund sport in Canada, even when you are an Olympian. CAN Fund is immensely and amazingly supportive financially at a time when my eyes are on Rio. But beyond that, CAN Fund support lifts my spirits knowing I am fortunate to join a group comprised of other athletes that I carry a great deal of respect for.
When was the moment you knew you wanted to represent Canada?
1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary. I was just 5 years old but the Games had a huge impression on me that I never could let go of.
Who is your hero and why?
Tom Ponting, my old swim coach, 3x Olympic Medalist at 3 different Olympic Games and also Laurie Shong, the first Canadian to qualify for the same Olympics in 2 sports (Pentathlon and Fencing). Amazing!!
What is your proudest moment?
Winning a Pan American Games medal and qualifying for the final at a World Championships. On both occasions I was lucky enough to have my family watching.
What does sport mean to you?
Sport is a life-shaping, life-changing way of living. From high performance to just being active with friends, it’s a way to communicate, share experiences and learn about ourselves and others. Sport has brought me around the world, built my self-esteem, taught me numerous life lessons, taught me how to manage finances and network and it has also introduced me to my life partner.
What is a healthy snack you eat before or after training sessions?
PowerBar! All day long…
What is in your refrigerator right now?
Soup, yogurt and juice (I love juice).
What are your words to live by or your motto?
Dream it, Train it, Live it – Tom Ponting
What do you value most in your friends?
Loyalty. I’m not around a lot but my friends never let that take away from our relationships.
What advice would you give to young kids or teenagers about following their dreams?
Don’t stop and don’t let go. Many people will make you feel like you can’t make it. But you can. And even if you don’t, the journey in itself is so worth it.
What are you favourite places in the world you have visited?
Greece and Mexico
If you were stranded on a desert island what three items would you take with you?
A good book, a radio and a volleyball. My family if that counts too…
What three items do you take with you on every road trip?
My laptop, running shoes and swim suit and a book.
Describe your typical day. Day in the life of…
Wake up, train, go to work or work on my business, go back to practice in the afternoon and evening. There’s a lot of eating in there as well!
What are your hobbies?
Reading
What is the most played song on your ipod?
Something by Jay-Z most likely.
What is your favourite quote?
“Stay in touch with the boy who dreamed the impossible dreams” – Hugh Hefner
“Train hard, win easy” – Kip Keino
What is your favourite movie?
Spartacus
What is your favourite book?
The Power of One
What is your favourite tv series?
Lost!
Twitter: @JoshuaRikerFox
Website or Blog: www.riker-fox.com
