World3 min(s) read
HYROX world record holder Joanna Wietrzyk made an unexpected move from a hospital bed after winning a grueling race despite soiling herself during the competition.
The Australian athlete sparked outrage after images and footage online appeared to show fecal matter 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.
In a now-deleted Instagram story, the Melbourne athlete shared a selfie showing her 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.
While bowel incontinence is uncommon during intense endurance exercise, her decision to keep competing raised hygiene concerns because other athletes later had to use the same course and equipment.
HYROX confirmed that contaminated equipment was removed, affected race lanes were closed for sanitation, and sections of carpet were replaced.
Further deep cleaning was scheduled before the competition resumed the following day.
The incident also raised questions about HYROX’s rules, with critics asking why Wietrzyk was allowed to continue when the competition already imposes penalties for offenses such as spitting, snot rockets and littering.
"Rules need to be changed expeditiously! And kid, you know this lady is so fast she literally could take a restroom break, come back and still win, and I’m not even exaggerating," Gerrod Gaines said.
HYROX athlete Benjamin Amsallem responded: "No respect for other people."
US nurse Erica Dodge said: "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."
HYROX acknowledged the "legitimate concerns," describing the incident as an "unforeseen situation" where "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," 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."
HYROX also revealed the athlete had received violent threats and warned that anyone responsible would be banned from its events.
"There is no place in our community for threats of violence or encouragement to harm an athlete," it said.
"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."
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, founded in 2017, has surged in popularity and now holds events around the world.
