Sport5 min(s) read
Disturbing images shared online appear to show the extent of the contamination left behind after HYROX athlete Joanna Wietrzyk soiled herself during a race.
The Australian athlete sparked a major debate after images and footage online appeared to show feces running down her legs as she continued competing at the HYROX event in Beijing.
Wietrzyk went on to complete stations including the rowing machine, sled push, and medicine ball throw before winning the women's HYROX Pro event in the elite 16-24 age category in 1:01:23.
While questions remain over why she was allowed to continue, attention has now turned to the aftermath and the impact on those who followed her around the course.
One user posted an image appearing to show affected equipment alongside the caption: "Completely unfair for any participants behind her! DQ!"
Another person alleged that other athletes were also soiled during the incident, claiming: "Apparently the officials would not give a response."
They also shared an alleged image of another athlete who had been affected.
A third posted a lengthy response questioning HYROX's handling of the situation and shared an image appearing to show people cleaning equipment after the incident.
"Are you going to DQ her? Are you and Joanna going to apologise to the volunteers who had to clean up her sh**? Or is her shit golden because she is part of Elite 15 and therefore untouchable?"
They went on to raise concerns about the people tasked with cleaning the affected areas.
"These volunteers were not even paid, yet they had to put themselves at risk and clean up human waste without proper protection while she continued competing. What about their welfare and safety?"
They also questioned what impact the contamination may have had on competitors who followed Wietrzyk around the course.
Social media users' claims about other athletes and the circumstances faced by volunteers have not been independently verified.
However, HYROX confirmed the contaminated equipment was removed, affected race lanes were sanitized, and sections of carpet were replaced.
Further deep cleaning was also scheduled before the competition resumed the following day.
HYROX acknowledged the hygiene concerns after the event, stating: "We recognize that this can understandably lead to frustration, questions, and strong views within our community."
"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," they added.
The organization has since updated its rulebook following the incident.
While HYROX has faced criticism over its handling of the race, Wietrzyk herself has also been targeted with personal attacks.
Her coach, Chris Bayens, subsequently defended the athlete against the abuse, saying: "No one is perfect, not in sport, not on social media, not in real life."
"What happened was an extraordinary set of circumstances that were unforeseen, rapidly evolving, and almost impossible to fully comprehend in real time," he continued. "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 said. "Sport occasionally produces moments that are imperfect and deeply human."
While acknowledging that "discussion is legitimate," Bayens added: "The hatred and personal attacks that have followed are not."
HYROX has similarly warned that legitimate criticism of its handling of the situation should not turn into abuse of the athlete.
"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."
Wietrzyk has not issued a statement, but she did share a selfie from a hospital bed in a now-deleted Instagram story, writing: "Go hard or go home they say ... a win is a win."
"In all seriousness, thank you for all the support. I’ll be back soon x," she added.
