Sport4 min(s) read
HYROX athlete Joanna Wietrzyk’s coach has spoken out after the competitor was slammed over an incident that unfolded during a race in Beijing.
As widely reported, the Australian athlete soiled herself during Saturday’s (September 12) competition but continued through the event.
Wietrzyk ended up winning the women's HYROX Pro event in the elite 16-24 age category.
She finished in 1:01:23 after completing stations including the rowing machine, sled push, and medicine ball throw.
But her decision to carry on sparked fierce debate, with hygiene concerns raised over other competitors subsequently using the same indoor course and equipment.
Elite HYROX coach Chris Bayens has addressed the backlash directed at Wietrzyk, describing the hatred that followed the incident as "ugly".
"No one is perfect, not in sport, not on social media, not in real life," he wrote in the caption of his post. "What happened was extraordinary."
Bayens, who runs The Bayens Method, said the "physical health and performance of an athlete" is his job, but argued that the "mental athlete is shaped far more by the community around them".
"What happened was an extraordinary set of circumstances that were unforeseen, rapidly evolving and almost impossible to fully comprehend in real time," he said.
"Decisions were made under competition conditions by an athlete, judges, and officials, all responding to a situation none of them could reasonably have prepared for".
Bayens said hindsight provides "time, information, and distance" that those "actually living it" did not have at the time.
"Those decisions can be reviewed, and lessons can be taken from them. But judging someone's intent, character, or morality through the clarity of hindsight is neither fair nor honest," he continued.
"Sport occasionally produces moments that are imperfect and deeply human."
While acknowledging that "discussion is legitimate," Bayens drew a clear line regarding the abuse Wietrzyk has received.
"The hatred and personal attacks that have followed are not," he added.
The incident has also put HYROX under scrutiny, as many questioned why officials did not stop Wietrzyk from continuing.
Bowel incontinence can happen during intense endurance exercise, but concerns centered on the shared course and equipment, particularly as other competitors still had to use them.
HYROX confirmed that contaminated equipment was removed, affected race lanes were closed for sanitation, and sections of carpet were replaced. Further deep cleaning was also scheduled before the competition resumed the next day.
"We recognize that this can understandably lead to frustration, questions, and strong views within our community," the organization said. "Those concerns are legitimate and, as organizers, we must be prepared to hear them, examine what happened, and take responsibility for continuing to improve. And we will."
The organization has since updated its rulebook following the incident.
HYROX races combine eight 1km runs with eight functional workout stations, including sled pushes, rowing, burpee broad jumps, sandbag lunges and wall balls.
The competition, which was founded in 2017, has grown rapidly and now stages events around the world.
While the company has accepted criticism over its handling of the incident, it has also made clear that abuse directed at Wietrzyk will not be tolerated.
"Frustration should never be directed towards the athletes themselves," they said. "There is no place in our community for threats of violence or encouragement to harm an athlete."
"As this has happened this weekend, we want to be very clear and direct: Any person identified as engaging in this behaviour - whether through comments, direct messages or social media - will be permanently banned from all HYROX events.
"We are currently reviewing and identifying those responsible, and action will be taken."
Meanwhile, the athlete later posted from a hospital bed in a now-deleted Instagram story, sharing a selfie in which she could be seen attached to an IV drip.
"Go hard or go home … a win is a win. In all seriousness, thank you for all the support. I’ll be back soon x," she wrote.
