HYROX Erupts in Controversy After Athlete Continues Race Despite 'Soiling Herself'
Joanna Wietrzyk won the women’s solo race in 61 minutes and 23 seconds as HYROX apologised and revised its rules after the incident.
- Footage showing Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk competing while covered in what appeared to be fecal matter at HYROX Beijing 2026 has circulated online, sparking widespread criticism from spectators and competitors.
- Wietrzyk was declared the winner of the women's solo race with a time of 61 minutes and 23 seconds. Prior to the event, the HYROX rulebook explicitly prohibited athletes from spitting, snotting, or littering on the competition course.
- Organisers faced immediate criticism for allowing Wietrzyk to continue, with some competitors calling for refunds. HYROX subsequently confirmed cleanup efforts included sanitising equipment and replacing sections of the competition carpet.
- Co-Founder Moritz Furste apologised, admitting HYROX "made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race." He stated the organisation has since implemented new rules and procedures to prevent similar incidents.
- Social media users continue calling for Wietrzyk's disqualification on Instagram. Addressing ongoing criticism, Fuerste stated, "We learn and try to get better everyday," signalling the organisation's commitment to improvement.
64 Articles
64 Articles
An uproar erupted at the Hyrox fitness competition in Beijing when an Australian athlete continued to compete and ultimately won despite being covered in feces. Organisers have apologised and announced immediate rule changes following backlash over their handling of the incident. Video footage from world record holder Joanna Wietrzyk’s performance on Saturday shows the athlete continuing to perform demanding exercises and using shared equipment,…
"Hyrox made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race," Moritz Fuerste, the German co-founder of this popular hybrid fitness competition, stated in a statement.
Sydney Morning Herald
An Australian Hyrox athlete had a messy accident. It’s more common than you think
Joanna Wietrzyk defecating during a race has made global headlines. However, she’s not the only one suffering from this gastrointestinal issue.
HYROX announced a rule change after its world record-holding female athlete defecated during a competition in Beijing but continued to compete and win. The new rule allows referees to immediately disqualify the athlete from the competition.
Channel News Asia
PressNewsAgencyHyrox changes rules after athlete soiled herself in competition
Sept 15 : Global indoor fitness race organisation Hyrox has changed its rules after women's world record holder Joanna Wietrzyk soiled herself during an event in Beijing on Saturday but was allowed to continue and win the race.Moritz Fuerste, the German co-founder of the popular fitness-racing hybrid, apolog
Hyrox co-founder sorry for Beijing incident, pledges rule changes after backlash
Hyrox co-founder Moritz Furste has apologised for the events in Beijing over the weekend, and said his organisation had begun revising event operations and updating its rule book. The commercial fitness competition has faced intense public backlash ever since elite Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk soiled herself during the solo women’s event, which she went on to win. The incident raised severe concerns over whether prompt sanitation was carri…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
