{
  "id": 8183029,
  "title": "Australian Hyrox athlete who soiled herself apologises for continuing Beijing race",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/australian-hyrox-athlete-who-soiled-herself-apologises-for-continuing",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T05:49:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hong Kong Free Press",
    "slug": "hong-kong-free-press-hongkongfp",
    "url": "https://hongkongfp.com/2026/09/18/australian-athlete-who-soiled-herself-apologises-for-continuing-hyrox-race/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "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 […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Joanna Wietrzyk apologizes for continuing race with feces on her",
    "23-year-old world record holder forfeits points from victory",
    "Rules revised for medical withdrawal due to health risks"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Joanna Wietrzyk's apology and decision to forfeit her points mark a change in approach for Hyrox athletes, who now face clearer guidelines on when to step away from racing due to medical issues.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Australian Hyrox athlete apologises for continuing Beijing race after soiling herself",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/australian-hyrox-athlete-apologises-for-continuing-beijing-race-after",
        "published": "2026-09-18T02:56:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Mothership",
        "title": "Hyrox athlete apologises, regrets not stepping off track after having faecal incontinence",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/hyrox-athlete-apologises-regrets-not-stepping-off-track-after-having",
        "published": "2026-09-18T03:02:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Hyrox athlete who soiled herself during race in China forfeits win, steps away from sport",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/hyrox-athlete-who-soiled-herself-during-race-in-china-forfeits-win",
        "published": "2026-09-18T03:19:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hong Kong Free Press",
        "title": "Australian Hyrox athlete who soiled herself apologises for continuing Beijing race",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/australian-hyrox-athlete-who-soiled-herself-apologises-for-continuing-8186844",
        "published": "2026-09-18T05:49:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}