HYROX Beijing Winner Sparks Backlash After Continuing Race Despite Bowel Accident

Australian professional athlete Joanna Wietrzyk has drawn criticism after continuing to compete despite suffering diarrhoea during the HYROX Beijing women's elite race on Saturday (Sep 12)

Wietrzyk, the women's HYROX world-record holder, continued through the running and workout stations with faecal matter visible on her legs, eventually finishing first in about one hour and one minute.

Organisers reportedly isolated and disinfected affected areas, removed equipment and replaced parts of the carpet as part of the clean-up.

It is also not the first reported incident of its kind at HYROX.

A participant at HYROX Jakarta in June reportedly suffered a similar bowel accident while competing, with medical experts noting that intense exercise can sometimes trigger gastrointestinal problems.

The Beijing incident has since prompted calls for clearer rules on when competitors should be stopped on health and hygiene grounds.