Following widespread backlash over images circulating from the Beijing race, Joanna Wietrzyk retroactively withdrew from the event, forfeited her victory, and attributed the sudden illness to food poisoning. Hyrox co-founder Moritz Fürste issued an apology for the race officials' delayed response, prompting Hyrox China to refund entry fees to several competitors who raised complaints. In response to the contamination concerns, the organization established new regulations enabling race directors to immediately pull competitors who pose hygiene risks via bodily fluids. Wietrzyk plans to return to competition in Hamburg despite lingering trauma and anxiety surrounding how the public perceives…
Key points
Joanna Wietrzyk publicly apologized for letting her competitive drive override safety con…: Joanna Wietrzyk publicly apologized for letting her competitive drive override safety concerns after falling ill during the race.
Organizers implemented strict contamination protocols and warned that anyone directing ab…: Organizers implemented strict contamination protocols and warned that anyone directing abuse at Joanna Wietrzyk faces future bans.
Despite considering retirement due to traumatic public harassment, Joanna Wietrzyk intend…: Despite considering retirement due to traumatic public harassment, Joanna Wietrzyk intends to resume competitive racing in Hamburg.
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An Australian athlete has admitted putting others at risk by continuing to race after soiling herself during an endurance sports event.
Speaking exclusively to the BBC ahead of her return to the sport, Joanna Wietrzyk suggested her determination to win the Hyrox race in Beijing in September had clouded her judgement: "It was my decision to continue racing so I take full responsibility for that."
Challenged over why she carried on, she said: "I didn't really think about those around me… the decision that I made in hindsight was the wrong decision and I'm truly sorry for everyone that I did affect."
The 24-year-old said that the experience and subsequent backlash was "traumatic". She also said she had considered walking away from the sport, in which she holds a world record.
Roughly halfway through her event, Wietrzyk suffered a bout of diarrhoea. Images of faecal matter on parts of her body were then shared widely online.
Asked whether officials should have stopped her, she said no-one encouraged her to do so the time.
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