An Australian Hyrox athlete has sparked controversy after completing a competition in Beijing while experiencing bowel incontinence, leading to accusations that organizers failed to maintain a safe and sanitary environment.
Joanna Wietrzyk, 22, from Melbourne, continued and ultimately won the Hyrox event on the weekend despite the incident. Images circulating from the competition show Wietrzyk participating in various exercises, including burpees and carrying heavy equipment, with visible signs of feces on her legs.
Following the event, Wietrzyk posted on Instagram from a hospital bed, stating, "Go hard or go home they say... a win is a win. In all seriousness, thank you all for the support. I'll be back soon."
However, the circumstances of her victory drew criticism from fellow competitors and observers. Some athletes have called for refunds and an apology from Hyrox organizers, arguing that the event was not professionally managed or safe. Joe Ho, a male competitor, expressed concern for athletes potentially exposed to the situation, stating, "For people who were exposed to that situation, there could be genuine physical and psychological consequences." He added, "I paid Hyrox to provide a professionally organised and safe event. So while I understand the athlete perspective, ultimately my contract and expectation is with Hyrox."
A US-based nurse, Erica Dodge, commented on Instagram that the athlete should have been stopped immediately. "From a basic health and sanitation standpoint, the athlete should have been stopped immediately, and any contaminated areas should have been closed off and properly cleaned before other athletes were allowed through," Dodge stated.
Concerns were also raised about the potential for other athletes to come into contact with fecal matter left on equipment or the course. A podcast host noted the nature of the Hyrox format, which involves moving between different stations like running, rowing, and burpees, suggesting a risk of cross-contamination.
In response to the backlash, Hyrox released a statement on Monday acknowledging the incident and vowing to improve its protocols. The company stated, "In this instance, an unforeseen situation arose in which protocols designed for elite competition and mass participation became blurred, creating ambiguity in how they were applied and understood." Hyrox added, "We recognise that this can understandably lead to frustration, questions and strong views within our community. Those concerns are legitimate and, as organisers, we must be prepared to hear them, examine what happened and take responsibility for continuing to improve. And we will."
Hyrox is a demanding fitness competition that combines running with functional workout stations, repeated eight times. The stations typically include activities such as SkiErg, sled pushes and pulls, burpee broad jumps, rowing, farmer’s carries, sandbag lunges, and wall balls. The sport has seen a significant increase in popularity globally in recent years.