World3 min(s) read
Sports fans have started an online discussion about hygiene and the extent athletes may go to in order to compete in events.
The debate comes as an athlete's Hyrox performance saw her complete a race in Beijing, even though she'd soiled herself during the competition.
A video of the woman's soiled legs has done the rounds online, with many asking the question of cleanliness while criticizing the Hyrox organizers for allowing her to continue despite her state.
Hyrox has since released a statement, claiming that a 'major cleanup operation' was underway after the event on Saturday (September 12).
Equipment was sanitized, while sections of the carpet were replaced following the incident.
But while they assured fans that the appropriate measures were being taken, the German fitness company asked that users not show any negativity towards the athlete involved.
They mentioned the "legitimate concerns", though they did not reveal the woman's identity after she had received violent threats from some.
Some Hyrox participants in Beijing asked for an apology and a refund, claiming that they had to come into contact with contaminated equipment.
In a lengthy statement, the company acknowledged dealing with "increasingly complex situations that challenge us", such as the incident in China at the weekend.
They added: "We ask our athletes to push themselves to the highest levels. At times, they will go beyond what even we thought was possible.
"That courage, resilience and refusal to give in are precisely what makes elite athletes so extraordinary. Our role is to give them the right framework and the right boundaries within which they can compete, perform and express themselves at their very best."
Speaking of an "unforeseen situation", Hyrox said that "protocols designed for elite competition and mass participation became blurred."
"We recognize that this can understandably lead to frustration, questions and strong views within our community," they stated.
"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 then highlighted: "Frustration should never be directed towards the athletes themselves. They are the people who put themselves on the line, compete at the highest level and make competition what it is.
"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 behavior - 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."
They then concluded by praising the community they have built, explaining that they will "continue to put the welfare and dignity of the athletes at the centre of what comes next.
A Hyrox race consists of participants alternating between running a kilometer and carrying out fitness exercises.
Some of these include burpee jumps, the sled push, indoor rowing, and lunges while carrying a sandbag.
Since being founded in 2017, the competition has skyrocketed in popularity, with several events being hosted across numerous countries.
Many professionals have commented on last weekend's incident, as US nurse Erica Dodge said on Instagram: "From a basic health and sanitation standpoint, the athlete should have been stopped immediately, and any contaminated areas should have been closed off and properly cleaned before other athletes were allowed through."
Athlete Joe Ho, who took part in the competition, called for Hyrox to "take responsibility when its own procedures fail."
He added: "If the organization accepts that something went wrong, why not offer affected participants refunds, credits, or some meaningful form of compensation?"
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