Joanna Wietrzyk Apologises and Forfeits Points After Beijing Hyrox Backlash

Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk has apologised following a controversial incident during a Hyrox competition in Beijing and announced that she will withdraw from the race and forfeit the points she earned.

Wietrzyk issued the apology on Instagram on Sept 17, addressing the people of China, fellow competitors, spectators and Hyrox organisers.

The incident occurred during the women’s Pro race in Beijing on Sept 12, when Wietrzyk became unwell and appeared to lose control of her bowels while competing. Despite the incident, she continued through the race and eventually finished first in one hour, one minute and 23 seconds.

Images and videos of the incident circulated widely online, prompting criticism over hygiene and the decision to allow her to continue using shared equipment and areas of the course.

In her statement, Wietrzyk said she had felt completely fit and healthy at the start of the race and had no reason to expect that she would become ill.

She said that, in hindsight, she regretted not stepping off the track and accepted responsibility for choosing to continue.

Wietrzyk also said she understood that her actions had affected other people and expressed regret for the discomfort and disruption caused.

She subsequently decided to retroactively withdraw from the Beijing race and give up the points she earned from her result.

The controversy also prompted Hyrox co-founder Moritz Furste to apologise for the organisation’s handling of the situation. He acknowledged that Hyrox should have intervened immediately and said new procedures and rule changes had been introduced.

Under the revised rules, a race director can withdraw an athlete on medical grounds if blood, vomit, urine or faeces creates a welfare or contamination risk to the athlete or other competitors.

Hyrox is an indoor fitness competition that combines running with exercises including rowing, sled pushes, lunges and other strength-based challenges. Competitors use shared equipment and course areas during races.

Wietrzyk, who holds a Hyrox women’s Pro world record, said she would take time away from the public attention to recover, reflect on the experience and spend time with her family.

She also thanked people who had supported her during the controversy, saying the experience had taught her the importance of knowing when it is appropriate to step away from competition.