Joanna Wietrzyk has opened up about the controversial HYROX incident that went viral.
Australian HYROX athlete Joanna Wietrzyk has admitted that she made the wrong decision by continuing to compete after suffering an unfortunate case of bowel incontinence during a race in Beijing.
The 24-year-old world record holder spoke to the BBC in an exclusive interview ahead of her return to the sport, reflecting on the incident that sparked widespread criticism and online backlash. Wietrzyk acknowledged that her actions put other participants at risk.
Wietrzyk Admits Her Decision Put Others at Risk
As we previously reported, Wietrzyk lost control of her bowels halfway through a HYROX competition in Beijing in September but continued racing. She later finished in first place. Images showing the aftermath quickly circulated online, with many questioning why she had been allowed to continue using shared equipment.
She admitted that her competitive mindset had taken over. "It was my decision to continue racing so I take full responsibility for that," she told the BBC. "I didn't really think about those around me."
Wietrzyk explained that she had suffered a bacterial infection following food poisoning, despite feeling perfectly healthy before the competition.
It wasn't until about halfway through the race where everything did transpire. [...] In that moment, right then and there, as a very competitive person… and an elite athlete that I am, my only focus is on racing.
The athlete has also described the experience and public scrutiny as traumatic, adding that she briefly considered walking away from the sport altogether.
Despite the backlash, Wietrzyk is preparing to compete again. She admitted to feeling nervous about her return but hopes the incident won't define her career. "I don't want it to become my identity," she said.
HYROX Introduces New Rules Following Controversy
The athlete also expressed regret over an initial social media post that included the phrases "Go hard or go home" and "a win is a win." She eventually deleted the post, apologized publicly, and forfeited her Beijing victory and the points earned from the event.
The controversy also prompted HYROX to introduce new rules allowing race directors to remove competitors if bodily fluids or waste create contamination risks or threaten the safety of others.
Wietrzyk acknowledged that the organization should have intervened sooner, while co-founder Moritz Fürste previously apologized for the failure to act during the competition.