Sports

Hyrox Competitor Joanna Wietrzyk Admits Continuing Race After Soiling Herself, Cites Trauma From Backlash

By Today News Hours Editorial Desk

An Australian athlete, 24‑year‑old Joanna Wietrzyk, has admitted that she put other competitors at risk by continuing to race after she soiled herself during the Hyrox event in Beijing last month. Speaking exclusively to the BBC, Wietrzyk said she had decided to keep going, saying, “It was my decision to continue racing so I take full responsibility for that.” She added that she had not considered the impact on those around her and expressed sincere regret for anyone affected.

Wietrzyk, who holds a world record in the sport, explained that she began experiencing diarrhoea roughly halfway through the race. Images of faecal matter on her body were widely shared online. When asked whether officials should have stopped her, she said no one had urged her to do so at the time.

Hyrox co‑founder Moritz Fürste issued an apology for the lack of immediate action. The organisation has since introduced new rules giving race directors the authority to remove athletes if their vomit, urine or faeces pose a contamination risk or threaten the welfare of themselves or others.

After the Beijing event, Wietrzyk posted an apology on Instagram, later deleting the post. She said she would forfeit the win and withdraw retroactively. She also revealed that she had suffered a bacterial infection from food poisoning but had entered the race feeling “fresh, feeling really, really good.”

Hyrox China has reportedly refunded entry fees to some competitors. Wietrzyk expressed regret over an initial social media post that included the phrases “Go hard or go home” and “a win is a win,” noting she was in “flight or fight mode” and had not anticipated the level of public scrutiny.

The athlete said the incident and subsequent online backlash were traumatic. She reported receiving threats to herself and her family and described the experience as mentally and emotionally taxing. Wietrzyk said she had tried to stay offline and isolate herself but recognized she could not do so permanently.

Hyrox has stated that anyone sending abuse or threats to Wietrzyk will be banned from future events. The athlete said she hopes the incident will not define her identity and that she still has more to achieve in the sport.

Wietrzyk is scheduled to compete in Hamburg on Friday and has expressed nervousness about her return, hoping the high‑profile incident will not dominate her career.