Hyrox apologises after athlete who soiled herself during race not removed
- Hyrox China proposed new competition rules on Monday following controversy at Saturday's Hyrox Beijing race, where 22-year-old Australian Joanna Wietrzyk was allowed to continue competing and win despite suffering bowel incontinence during the event.
- Referees relied on experience from previous Elite 15 events and did not intervene during the race, which organizers described as evidence of "deficiencies in the establishment of competition rules" regarding bodily fluids.
- Hyrox co-founder Moritz Furste admitted, "HYROX made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race," leading to an updated rulebook allowing a Race Director to withdraw a competitor on medical grounds, recorded as Did Not Finish .
- Coach Chris Bayens wrote on Instagram on Sept. 13 that the 24-year-old was receiving online abuse, stating, "Sport occasionally produces moments that are imperfect and deeply human," while Hyrox condemned threats of violence against the athlete.
- New regulations governing track management and race intervention in cases involving "extreme physical distress and venue public health risks" have been submitted to headquarters to clarify procedures for future elite and mass participation events.
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Photos and videos published on Chinese social media showed Australian Joanna Wietrzyk with defiled legs and shoes, continuing the test to the end.
This weekend in Beijing, Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk won the women's event in the 16-24 year-old category. Not without a polemic that shook the discipline.
Diarrhea-soaked Hyrox athlete divides internet over whether she should have quit
A Hyrox athlete has divided the internet after losing control of her bowel mid-race and refusing to stop, raising questions about whether she should have hung up her diarrhea-splattered sneakers rather than power through to the finish line.
Aftenposten
VGReactions were pouring in after the winner completed the competition despite extreme stomach problems. Now Hyrox is announcing changes.
Joanna Wietrzyk won HYROX Beijing 2026, but one episode of diarrhea during the test sparked criticism and forced a review of health protocols.
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