Sports
Australian Hyrox athlete who soiled herself apologises and forfeits Beijing win
September 17, 2026 at 08:29 PM
Coverage
3 reports · over 11 hours
TGThe Guardian
There’s a long history of athletes pooing themselves mid-race – why, and how can you avoid it?
(opens the publisher’s site)
TGThe Guardian
‘I’m genuinely sorry’: Australian Hyrox athlete who soiled herself apologises to China and rivals
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
Hyrox athlete apologises for continuing race after soiling herself
(opens the publisher’s site)Joanna Wietrzyk has apologised and agreed to give up her title after winning a Hyrox event in Beijing despite soiling herself during the race.
- Wietrzyk soiled herself during Saturday's event in Beijing but continued competing and won the race.
- She apologised on Instagram, saying she was "genuinely sorry," regretted not stepping "off the track," and that there is "more to life than racing."
- Wietrzyk said she would retroactively withdraw from the race and forfeit the points she earned, adding she felt "completely fit and healthy" at the start.
- Hyrox co-founder Moritz Fürste apologised for the handling of the incident, and Hyrox said it would ban anyone sending abuse or threats to the athlete.