An Australian athlete who sparked an outcry when she kept competing despite soiling herself midway through an event in Beijing apologised Friday and forfeited her points from winning. Joanna Wietrzyk finished the Hyrox indoor fitness race last weekend with excrement on her legs and shoes, continuing to use the mats and equipment. It sparked backlash about potential health hazards posed to other competitors and went viral on social media."I want to offer my sincere apology to the people of China, my fellow competitors, the spectators and the Hyrox organisers for what happened during the race in Beijing," Wietrzyk said on Instagram.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/portugal-turkey-back-on-f1-calendar-as-fia-reveals-24-race-2027-season-1789644092231">Portugal, Turkey back on F1 calendar as FIA reveals 24-race 2027 season</a>"I felt completely fit and healthy at the start of the race, with no reason to expect any illness."Looking back, I regret the decision to not have stepped off the track. I recognise that I should have made a different choice."The 23-year-old world record holder said she had retroactively withdrawn from the race and would hand back the points earned from competing."I am learning from this experience and will carry those lessons with me, including remembering that there is more to life than racing and knowing when it is right to step away," she added."I will be taking some time to recover, reflect and look after myself and my family away from the noise."Hyrox, a popular fitness competition launched in Germany and held worldwide, features a mixture of treadmill running and strength exercises, such as lunges and rowing.Co-founder Moritz Furste apologised on Monday to "all who were directly or indirectly involved" as intense criticism swelled over its health and safety standards."Hyrox made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race," added Furste. "In the end it is my job to foresee these potential incidents -- and I did not."It has since updated its rules.They now state that if a "racer's blood, vomit, urine, or faeces poses a welfare or contamination risk to the racer or to other racers, a race director may withdraw the racer from the race on medical grounds".

The 23-year-old world record holder, Joanna Wietrzyk, said she had retroactively withdrawn from the race and would hand back the points earned from competing.

An Australian athlete who sparked an outcry when she kept competing despite soiling herself midway through an event in Beijing apologised Friday and forfeited her points from winning. Joanna Wietrzyk finished the Hyrox indoor fitness race last weekend with excrement on her legs and shoes, continuing to use the mats and equipment. It sparked backlash about potential health hazards posed to other competitors and went viral on social media. "I want to offer my sincere apology to the people of China, my fellow competitors, the spectators and the Hyrox organisers for what happened during the race in Beijing," Wietrzyk said on Instagram. Also Read - Portugal, Turkey back on F1 calendar as FIA reveals 24-race 2027 season "I felt completely fit and healthy at the start of the race, with no reason to expect any illness. "Looking back, I regret the decision to not have stepped off the track. I recognise that I should have made a different choice." The 23-year-old world record holder said she had retroactively withdrawn from the race and would hand back the points earned from competing. "I am learning from this experience and will carry those lessons with me, including remembering that there is more to life than racing and knowing when it is right to step away," she added. "I will be taking some time to recover, reflect and look after myself and my family away from the noise." Hyrox, a popular fitness competition launched in Germany and held worldwide, features a mixture of treadmill running and strength exercises, such as lunges and rowing. Co-founder Moritz Furste apologised on Monday to "all who were directly or indirectly involved" as intense criticism swelled over its health and safety standards. "Hyrox made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race," added Furste. "In the end it is my job to foresee these potential incidents -- and I did not." It has since updated its rules. They now state that if a "racer's blood, vomit, urine, or faeces poses a welfare or contamination risk to the racer or to other racers, a race director may withdraw the racer from the race on medical grounds".

The 23-year-old world record holder, Joanna Wietrzyk, said she had retroactively withdrawn from the race and would hand back the points earned from competing.

Australian athlete, who soiled herself during Hyrox race, apologises for continuing

Hyrox Beijing is facing widespread criticism for allowing an Australian athlete to finish the race even after she soiled herself, with faecal matter running down her leg. Everyone watched in horror as world record holder Joanna Wietrzyk completed demanding exercises and used communal equipment, creating a major health risk for the other athletes. Footage of the incident went viral and raised questions about Hyrox’s health and safety standards.&nbsp;Hyrox co-founder Moritz Fürste has now apologised for not acting immediately when it happened. "Hyrox made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race. In the end it is my job to foresee these potential incidents – and I did not," Fürste said. He added that immediate changes have been made to the rulebook, and "there are new rules and procedures in place to prevent situations like this from happening again."&nbsp;According to the new rules, if a "racer's blood, vomit, urine, or faeces poses a welfare or contamination risk to the racer or to other racers, a race director may withdraw the racer from the race on medical grounds". Previously, athletes were penalised for littering, spitting, or clearing their nostrils onto the race course.<h2>What is Hyrox?</h2> Hyrox is a popular fitness competition that was launched in Germany in 2017. It is now held in various locations across the world, and its first China edition happened in late 2024. Competitors first run for about a kilometre and then complete fitness exercises at high-intensity stations. These include a rowing machine, sledge pushes, burpee jumps, medicine ball throws and lunges while carrying a sandbag. They alternate between running and the exercises. Unlike most other sporting events, it is held indoors<h2>The Hyrox Beijing incident</h2> People were appalled to see that Wietrzyk continued with the race despite suffering from diarrhoea. The stations are common for all athletes, and the incident means risking others' safety as well. Reacting to the criticism, Hyrox China said the competition area was thoroughly cleaned after the competition was over and the equipment was removed.&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/hyrox-explained-the-fitness-race-that-s-taking-over-the-world-1787828733329/embed&nbsp;"After the incident, the organising committee immediately closed off and isolated the affected area and track, and completed comprehensive disinfection," Hyrox China organisers said.It added that the floor at the venue would be replaced to protect future athletes.Hyrox World said in a statement that the "protocols designed for elite competition and mass participation became blurred, creating ambiguity in how they were applied and understood". &nbsp;

Hyrox Beijing is in the news for a disturbing incident where an Australian athlete kept running and performing exercises even after she soiled herself, with faeces running down her leg. Hyrox has apologised for not taking action sooner and has changed the rules. 

Hyrox Beijing is facing widespread criticism for allowing an Australian athlete to finish the race even after she soiled herself, with faecal matter running down her leg. Everyone watched in horror as world record holder Joanna Wietrzyk completed demanding exercises and used communal equipment, creating a major health risk for the other athletes. Footage of the incident went viral and raised questions about Hyrox’s health and safety standards. Hyrox co-founder Moritz Fürste has now apologised for not acting immediately when it happened. "Hyrox made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race. In the end it is my job to foresee these potential incidents – and I did not," Fürste said. He added that immediate changes have been made to the rulebook, and "there are new rules and procedures in place to prevent situations like this from happening again." According to the new rules, if a "racer's blood, vomit, urine, or faeces poses a welfare or contamination risk to the racer or to other racers, a race director may withdraw the racer from the race on medical grounds". Previously, athletes were penalised for littering, spitting, or clearing their nostrils onto the race course. What is Hyrox? Hyrox is a popular fitness competition that was launched in Germany in 2017. It is now held in various locations across the world, and its first China edition happened in late 2024. Competitors first run for about a kilometre and then complete fitness exercises at high-intensity stations. These include a rowing machine, sledge pushes, burpee jumps, medicine ball throws and lunges while carrying a sandbag. They alternate between running and the exercises. Unlike most other sporting events, it is held indoors The Hyrox Beijing incident People were appalled to see that Wietrzyk continued with the race despite suffering from diarrhoea. The stations are common for all athletes, and the incident means risking others' safety as well. Reacting to the criticism, Hyrox China said the competition area was thoroughly cleaned after the competition was over and the equipment was removed. https://www.wionews.com/videos/hyrox-explained-the-fitness-race-that-s-taking-over-the-world-1787828733329/embed "After the incident, the organising committee immediately closed off and isolated the affected area and track, and completed comprehensive disinfection," Hyrox China organisers said. It added that the floor at the venue would be replaced to protect future athletes. Hyrox World said in a statement that the "protocols designed for elite competition and mass participation became blurred, creating ambiguity in how they were applied and understood".

Hyrox Beijing is in the news for a disturbing incident where an Australian athlete kept running and performing exercises even after she soiled herself, with faeces running down her leg. Hyrox has apologised for not taking action sooner and has changed the rules.&nbsp;

What is Hyrox, in news for athlete who soiled herself, but kept running and using common equipment?

Run, row, lift, repeat. Hyrox has rapidly become one of the world's most popular fitness competitions, attracting everyone from elite athletes to everyday gym-goers. Combining endurance running with functional workouts, the sport has transformed fitness into a global lifestyle movement. Participants often return for multiple events, drawn by the challenge, community, and measurable performance goals. As millions embrace the fitness race, Hyrox is redefining how people train, compete, and stay motivated.


Hyrox explained: the fitness race that’s taking over the world

HYROX has transformed from a niche fitness challenge into a global phenomenon, attracting athletes and fitness enthusiasts around the world. Combining running with functional exercises, the rapidly growing sport is now setting its sights on the Olympic stage. Could HYROX become the next major global sporting sensation?


World triathlon backs Hyrox format under 'Hyathlon' banner 

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Australian athlete, who soiled herself during Hyrox race, apologises for continuing

What is Hyrox, in news for athlete who kept running despite soiling herself?

Hyrox explained: the fitness race that’s taking over the world

World triathlon backs Hyrox format under 'Hyathlon' banner