An athlete has made amends with the HYROX community following a rather unfortunate incident.
Joanna Wietrzyk has apologized after continuing to compete in a HYROX race in Beijing despite soiling herself during the event.
The Australian athlete and HYROX world record holder lost control of her bowels whilst competing at the Beijing event on September 12.
She continued competing, even with her pungent accident very much on public display. Footage later showed fecal matter on her legs as she made her way through several of the event's remaining stations.
Wietrzyk completed the race in first place. She initially appeared to embrace the unusual circumstances, posting on social media, "Go hard or go home … a win is a win." The post was later deleted as criticism of her decision to continue competing grew online.
Wietrzyk Has Now Apologized
The controversy wasn't simply about the embarrassing nature of the incident. HYROX is a global indoor fitness competition where hundreds of athletes use the same equipment and course during races. This means competitors may have used equipment she contaminated during the Beijing race.
Wietrzyk has since acknowledged that she should have stopped competing.
She explained that she felt completely healthy when the race began and had no reason to expect something to happen. However, looking back, she said she regretted not stepping off the track once the incident occurred.
I want to offer my sincere apology to the people of China, my fellow competitors, the spectators and the HYROX organizers for what happened during the race in Beijing. [...] I take responsibility for my decision to continue and am deeply sorry for the discomfort and disruption it caused. I know my actions had an impact beyond myself, and I am genuinely sorry to everyone who was affected.
Wietrzyk has also decided that simply apologizing wasn't enough. She confirmed that, in light of this learning experience, she will also give up the points she earned from the Beijing race.
On reflection, I have decided to retroactively withdraw from the race and forfeit the points I earned.
HYROX Has Updated Its Rules
The incident has also prompted HYROX to change how it handles potential biological contamination during races. HYROX co-founder Moritz Fürste acknowledged its poor handling of the incident.
The company has since introduced new procedures allowing a Race Director to remove an athlete from competition on medical grounds if blood, vomit, urine, or feces creates a welfare or contamination risk.
HYROX has also apologized to competitors affected by the incident. The organization said the affected area was sanitized and the turf was replaced following the event, while some competitors were offered refunds.