Hyrox athlete who soiled herself in race tells BBC she put others at risk but says backlash was traumatic
In her first interview since the incident, Joanna Wietrzyk told the BBC she takes responsibility for it but did not deserve such a severe backlash.
Australian endurance athlete Joanna Wietrzyk has admitted to putting others at risk by continuing to race after soiling herself during a Hyrox competition in Beijing. Speaking to the BBC ahead of her return to the sport, Wietrzyk, 24, explained that her determination to win the race clouded her judgement. She continued racing despite suffering a bout of diarrhoea halfway through, an incident that was widely shared online.
Wietrzyk acknowledged that her decision was a mistake and expressed remorse for affecting those around her. Hyrox's co-founder, Moritz Fürste, apologized, stating it was a mistake not to react immediately during the race. New rules have since been introduced, allowing race directors to remove athletes if their bodily fluids pose a risk of contamination or threaten the welfare of others.
Wietrzyk faced criticism for her initial post, which included the phrase "Go hard or go home," and for her lack of concern for others' safety. She has since apologized and expressed regret for her actions, stating that she hoped the incident wouldn't define her. Despite the backlash, Wietrzyk remains committed to her sport, emphasizing the importance of mental resilience in overcoming adversity.
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