Australian Hyrox athlete who soiled herself apologises for continuing Beijing race

Australian Hyrox athlete Joanna Wietrzyk, who was criticized for continuing the race after soiling herself in Beijing, has apologized and forfeited her points from winning. The 23-year-old world record holder finished the indoor fitness race with excrement on her legs and shoes, which sparked an outcry over potential health hazards to other competitors.

Wietrzyk explained in a post on Instagram that she felt healthy at the start of the race and had no reason to expect illness. However, she now regrets not stepping off the track and acknowledges she should have made a different choice. She retroactively withdrew from the race and will hand back the points earned from competing. Wietrzyk stated she is learning from the experience and will carry those lessons forward, including knowing when it is right to step away from racing.

The rules for Hyrox, a popular fitness competition, have been revised to include a clause where a race director may withdraw a racer from the race on medical grounds if their blood, vomit, urine, or faeces poses a welfare or contamination risk to themselves or other racers.