Jessica Fox said she was gutted after a video judge’s decision went against her and cost her a chance of winning gold in the women’s K1 canoe slalom final on Friday morning (AEST).

Fox produced a superb final run that gave her the lead and she started celebrating before noticing that a potential gate touch was being reviewed by officials.

A two-second penalty followed, with judges eventually deeming she touched a gate during her run, relegating Fox to third – and a bronze medal.

Spaniard Maialen Chourraut won the event, ahead of New Zealand’s Lukka Jones.

“I was thrilled to put down a run, it wasn’t perfect but it went into the lead, which was fantastic,” Fox said afterwards.

Fox in the moment she thought she had won. Photo: Getty

“And then obviously the asterisk came up and a late penalty was added. My heart sank.”

Fox and the Australian team had the chance to protest the decision – based on the fact she made contact with the penultimate gate on the course.

They chose not to, though, after reviewing vision.

Fox said she “didn’t feel” a touch on course but acknowledged the decision was “fair” afterwards.

“For me, it was there – I didn’t feel it but I can visualise how it happened,” she added.

Fox poses with her bronze medal. Photo: Getty

“I think they showed it on the replay. I came in tight, it wasn’t the perfect upstream and I knew that I slid out – so the touch could’ve been there.

“I didn’t feel it because it was on my back. That’s what the video judges look at and it’s a fair call.”

Fox said she was still happy to win a bronze medal.

“It’s fantastic to be on that podium again. Another Olympic medal is a great achievement,” she said.

The 22-year-old – who has parents who competed at the Games – was the gold medal favourite but will now turn her attention to the 2020 event in Tokyo.