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Hyrox Beijing athlete hygiene controversy

Updated 11 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-20 02:03 UTC → 2026-09-20 19:55 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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