World3 min(s) read
A woman who competed with HYROX athlete Joanna Wietrzyk has revealed that the fitness organizers have taken action.
Wietrzyk infamously soiled herself during the HYROX Women's Pro race on Saturday (September 12) in Beijing, and the story has been circulating online.
Disturbing images of the Australian athlete were released following her victory, with feces seen running down her legs as she continued competing at the HYROX event in Beijing.
Wietrzyk completed the event, winning the women's HYROX Pro event in the elite 16-24 age category in 1:01:23, beating out World Champion Alyssa McElheny.
However, Beijing competitors started to raise hygiene concerns after the event, as one called it 'disgusting' to compete on the same track.
Swiss-born and Singapore-based Marion Müller has now posted a video, explaining that HYROX has made a huge move for those who competed alongside Wietrzyk.
Müller revealed in a video on her Instagram account: "So, here's an update to the HYROX Beijing incident on Saturday.
"I was competing two hours after the incident happened, and I just got an email saying that everyone who started between, I think, 2.40 PM and 8.40 PM will get a full refund for their ticket."
She admitted: "I was not expecting that. I think this is the first step from HYROX to really take action and compensate the athletes participating in this very special environment," as she asked viewers for their thoughts and whether they thought it was enough.
The entry fee for HYROX competitors in Beijing was around $125, with most events featuring between 1,500 and over 3,000 competitors.
Müller had excitedly shown followers the venue they competed at in Beijing, which provided top-of-the-range equipment and a large space to compete in, prior to the toilet incident.
One user joked: "Was this before or after disinfection?"
Another added: "Holy moly, look at this restroom!!! Amazing!!!"
HYROX has confirmed that equipment affected by the incident was removed, race lanes were sanitized, and sections of carpet were replaced, with the organization also claiming that further deep cleaning was scheduled before the competition resumed the following day.
HYROX has since acknowledged the criticism surrounding its handling of the incident.
“We recognize that this can understandably lead to frustration, questions, and strong views within our community,” the organisation 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.”
Wietrzyk herself has faced a wave of online abuse, prompting her coach Chris Bayens to defend her.
“No one is perfect, not in sport, not on social media, not in real life,” Bayens said.
He described what happened as 'an extraordinary set of circumstances that were unforeseen, rapidly evolving, and almost impossible to fully comprehend in real time'.
“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,” he continued.
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