# Hyrox Beijing athlete hygiene controversy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hyrox-beijing-athlete-hygiene-controversy > Updated: 2026-09-26T11:09:00.000Z. Sources: 149. Developments: 6. During a Hyrox competition in Beijing, Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk won the Pro Women division despite experiencing a mid-race bowel incontinence incident. Footage of the event circulated on social media, leading to public debate regarding hygiene, athlete welfare, and the safety of shared equipment like rowing machines and sleds used by subsequent competitors. Hyrox organizers and co-founder Moritz Fürste acknowledged that the company “did not handle the situation like we should have” and admitted to a failure to react immediately. Hyrox China noted that the absence of specific regulations in the official competition manual prevented judges from intervening during the race. In response to the backlash, the organization confirmed that affected areas underwent deep cleaning and disinfection, including the replacement of competition flooring. To prevent similar occurrences, Hyrox has updated its official rulebook. The newly implemented section 12.3 grants Race Directors the authority to withdraw a racer on medical grounds if their “blood, vomit, urine, or faeces poses a welfare or contamination risk to themselves or others.” Following the controversy, Joanna Wietrzyk has issued a formal apology and forfeited her victory and season points. In her statement, she expressed regret, noting, “I recognize that I should have made a different choice,” and apologized to the people of China, fellow competitors, and organizers. While she previously stated, “A win is a win,” the commercial fallout has continued, with sportswear brand Puma removing the “Joanna Wietrzyk x PUMA” clothing collection from its global online store. Wietrzyk has announced she will take time away from competition to focus on her well-being and family. Medical experts have noted that such incidents, often referred to as ‘runner’s diarrhea,’ can be caused by factors such as reduced digestive blood flow, heat, and specific sports drinks during intense physical exertion. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-26: Joanna Wietrzyk forfeits HYROX Beijing win following hygiene controversy Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk has forfeited her HYROX Beijing victory after a hygiene controversy involving a mid-race medical incident led to calls for better competition protocols. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/joanna-wietrzyk-forfeits-hyrox-beijing-win-following-hygiene-controversy ### 2026-09-23: Joanna Wietrzyk apologizes and forfeits HYROX win after race controversy Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk has apologized and forfeited her HYROX Beijing victory after continuing a race despite suffering fecal incontinence, sparking debates over biohazard safety. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/joanna-wietrzyk-surrenders-hyrox-title-after-beijing-controversy ### 2026-09-19: Joanna Wietrzyk apologizes after controversial HYROX race in Beijing Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk apologized and renounced her HYROX title after continuing a Beijing race following a fecal incontinence episode, prompting rule changes by the organization. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/joanna-wietrzyk-renounces-hyrox-title-after-beijing-incident ### 2026-09-17: Joanna Wietrzyk apologizes and forfeits Hyrox win after Beijing incident Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk has apologized and forfeited her Hyrox Beijing win after continuing to compete despite a gastrointestinal accident, sparking hygiene concerns and rule changes. 59 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/joanna-wietrzyk-faces-controversy-after-hyrox-victory-in-beijing ### 2026-09-15: HYROX Beijing faces controversy after athlete wins despite incontinence Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk won a HYROX race in Beijing despite a bowel incontinence incident, prompting hygiene concerns and rule changes from organizers. 55 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hyrox-apologizes-after-athlete-completes-beijing-race-following-bowel-incident ### 2026-09-13: Hyrox Beijing controversy follows athlete's mid-race incontinence Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk won the Hyrox Beijing Pro Women race despite a mid-race incontinence incident, sparking intense debate over sanitation protocols and shared equipment safety. 41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hyrox-beijing-organizers-face-criticism-over-hygiene-handling --- Cite as: Hyrox Beijing athlete hygiene controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hyrox-beijing-athlete-hygiene-controversy