Hyrox Apologises After Athlete Who Soiled Herself During Race Not Removed
Moritz Fürste said HYROX made a mistake by not reacting immediately and said new rules are already in place to prevent a repeat.
- On Saturday, September 12, 2026, Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk finished first in the HYROX Beijing Pro Women race despite experiencing bowel incontinence during the competition at the National Speed Skating Oval.
- Critics questioned why officials failed to intervene when HYROX claims to have 'clear biocontaminant and medical procedures,' noting existing rules already mandate penalties for spitting or littering on the competition floor.
- Videos circulating online showed contamination on shared equipment and race lanes, prompting organizers to close areas for deep cleaning and carpet replacement while Wietrzyk shared a since-deleted social media post.
- HYROX co-founder Moritz Fürste issued a formal apology, stating the organization 'made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race' and apologized to those directly or indirectly affected.
- The organization acknowledged that protocols 'became blurred' during the event and has already implemented new rules and procedures to prevent similar incidents at future competitions.
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12 Articles
Aftenposten
VGReactions were pouring in after the winner completed the competition despite extreme stomach problems. Now Hyrox is announcing changes.
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Hyrox apologises after athlete who soiled herself during race not removed
An Australian athlete has sparked controversy after she won an international HYROX sporting event but suffered a bowel accident during it leaving waste on parts of the course and shared competition equipment. Joanna Wietrzyk is a world champion in HYROX, a sport that can be described as a 'fitness marathon,' which includes a mix of […]
Joanna Wietrzyk motivated criticism for continuing to compete in the Hyrox test despite suffering from a sudden stomach incontinence, which left her covered with feces in her legs
Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk moved on to complete the tour and crowned champion; organizers announced that they will make changes to the rules
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