Joanna Wietrzyk took full responsibility for the controversial incident that overshadowed her race in Beijing, admitting that her desire to win clouded her judgement after she continued competing despite suffering a bout of diarrhoea.
Australian HYROX athlete Joanna Wietrzyk acknowledged putting others at risk by continuing the race despite encountering a major mishap when she soiled herself during the endurance event in Beijing in September 2026.
Halfway through the HYROX race, Wietrzyk was affected by diarrhoea, and pictures from the event showed faecal matter on certain regions of her body. The incident triggered widespread outrage, with users calling out how she and the organisers put other participants at risk by continuing the race.
Wietrzyk had admitted that she suffered a ‘bacterial infection from food poisoning.’
Joanna apologises for incident
Speaking to BCC ahead of her comeback in the event, Joanna admitted that her determination to win the Hyrox race had clouded her judgement.
“It was my decision to continue racing so I take full responsibility for that,” she admitted.
She added that the incident came on suddenly during the race and her focus at that time was solely on continuing as a highly competitive elite athlete. Joanna also acknowledged that her decision was misguided and admitted that it put others at risk.
More from Sports“It wasn’t until about halfway through the race where everything did transpire… In that moment, right then and there, as a very competitive person… and an elite athlete that I am, my only focus is on racing.
“Obviously I did put other people at risk,” Joanna added.
She went on to admit that the backlash after the event was ‘traumatic’ and had considered walking away from the sport.
Joanna set to make HYROX comeback
Joanna is all set to make her comeback at HYROX Hamburg on Friday but has admitted to being ‘nervous’ about returning to the endurance event. The Australian athlete is also hopeful that the mishap will not define her.
She went on to apologise to anyone affected by the incident, saying, “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 HYROX Hamburg 2026 will take place from October 28 to November 1, 2026, at Hamburg Messe (Halls B5, B6, and B7), in Germany.