Sports · Other Sports · 5 hrs ago
Joanna Wietrzyk apologises for continuing Beijing HYROX race after accident
Australian HYROX athlete Joanna Wietrzyk apologised for continuing to race after suffering bowel incontinence at an event in Beijing in September.
She completed the course and won the women's Pro race in 1:01:23, despite visible faecal matter on her legs.
Competitors used some of the same equipment, prompting concerns about hygiene and contamination and questions about the organisers’ response.
Wietrzyk said the past six to eight weeks had been hard and confronting, and thanked people who supported her.
HYROX warned that people who sent her abuse or threats of violence could be banned from future events.
Wietrzyk is set to race in Hamburg on October 30 in the opening event of the 2026-27 Elite Series, where competitors will seek points towards qualification for the 2027 world championships.
Australian HYROX athlete Joanna Wietrzyk apologised for continuing to race after suffering bowel incontinence at an event in Beijing.
She said she was sorry to spectators and participants affected by her decision.
The incident raised concerns among competitors about hygiene, contamination and the response.
Wietrzyk said the aftermath had been hard and confronting, and thanked people who supported her.
She was due to return to competition in Hamburg on October 30.
- Who
- Australian HYROX athlete Joanna Wietrzyk.
- What
- She apologised for continuing to race after suffering bowel incontinence during a Beijing event.
- When
- The Beijing event took place in September. She apologised ahead of a scheduled race on October 30, 2026.
- Where
- The incident happened at a HYROX event in Beijing, China. Her planned return was in Hamburg, Germany.
- Why
- She said she was sorry to spectators and participants affected by her decision to continue racing.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Wietrzyk continued and won the women's HYROX Pro event in Beijing after suffering bowel incontinence.
Wietrzyk apologised in an Instagram video and said she had reflected on the incident.
Wietrzyk was scheduled to race in the opening event of the 2026-27 HYROX Elite Series in Hamburg.
- Beijing result
- Wietrzyk won the women's HYROX Pro event in 1:01:23.
- Race conditions
- The incident occurred while competitors were using shared equipment.
- Planned return
- Hamburg Elite 15 women's race, scheduled for October 30, 2026.
- Next championship
- Competitors were chasing points toward qualification for the 2027 world championships.
What people are saying
I'm truly, truly so sorry to everyone that I affected, whether they were spectators or participants out on that race floor for my decision to choose to continue to race.
It's been a very hard situation to navigate for me and very confronting as well.
So I'm back out there on the race floor, and I'm super excited to go back doing what I love and hopefully see you all out there.