HYROX Confirms Rule Changes After Athlete Poos During Race

HYROX will be making changes to its rulebook following the incredibly viral incident at its Beijing competition, where an athlete suffered bowel incontinence, admitting it “made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race”.

Co-founder of HYROX, Moritz Fürste, shared an Instagram statement on Monday night addressing the incident involving Aussie athlete Joanna Wietrzyk, who won HYROX Beijing while completely covered in her own feces.

Joanna Wietrzyk at the HYROX Beijing. (Image source: VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

“I need to address all of you directly concerning the recent events in China,” Fürste began.

“I apologise to all who were directly or indirectly affected, as well as to everyone who felt like we did not handle the situation as we should have.

“HYROX made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race. In the end, it is my job to foresee these potential incidents — and I did not.”

The Olympian added that changes to the HYROX rulebook will be put in place “immediately” in order “to prevent situations like this from happening again”.

“We learn and try to get better every day,” the statement concluded.

*Mortiz Fürste’s full statement. (Image source: Instagram / @mofuerste)*

Fürste’s head-on address of the shituation comes hours after HYROX released its own statement acknowledging the incident.

“HYROX has clear biocontaminant and medical procedures in place. 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 responded.

“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.”

*Joanna Wietrzyk continued the Beijing course despite defecating on herself. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)*

Within its statement, HYROX also made it clear that it intends to ban people who engaged in problematic behaviour — including threats of violence or encouragement to harm an athlete — against Wietrzyk.

“We’re proud of what we have built together: a global movement driven by ambition, passion, grit and an extraordinary community of people who care deeply about this sport,” it continued.

“We will continue to listen. We will continue to learn. And, above all, we will continue to put the welfare and dignity of the athletes at the centre of what comes next.”

*HYROX’s original statement. (Image source: Instagram / @Hyroxworld)*

The initial reaction to the original statement caused outrage, with many calling out HYROX for its “lack of accountability” and the fact that it was “missing an apology”.

Others also pointed out that HYROX has a no-spitting or clearing nostrils policy, and if participants choose to do so, it will result in a two-minute time penalty.

“So I can’t spit on the course, but I can shit myself? Good to know,” one person penned.

“Agreed on the violence & threats, BUT if spitting on the course gets you a penalty, I think we should look into revising the rule book,” another person added.

It’s not clear what changes will be added to the rulebook. However, something tells me it definitely has something to do with getting the runs on the race.

*Some of the responses to the OG statement. (Image source: Instagram / @hyroxworld)*

Internet reacts to Moritz Fürste’s statement

While Fürste’s statement involved some kind of apology and resolution, athletes are calling for Wietrzyk to be disqualified, even though she won the race.

“I do, however, believe a disqualification or penalty should be issued for this as it was very spiteful of her towards other athletes competing; no one wants to do burpees with their face close to the ground with possible infectious faecal matter. It’s health and safety and infection control standards,” one person wrote.

“The rules to prevent this are already in place; Hyrox just chose not to apply the same rules to elite athletes,” another commented.

“She doesn’t deserve the championship. She made it hard for other people to compete; if someone was spitting on everyone else around them, they would be disqualified; this is much worse! Disqualify her,” wrote a third.

Wietrzyk has not responded to the online buzz surrounding her performance, and her social media comments have remained closed.

PEDESTRIAN.TV has reached out to HYROX, Wietrzyk and Fürste for comment.