Joanna Wietrzyk Admits Mistake After Hyrox Race Incident

Australian endurance athlete Joanna Wietrzyk has acknowledged making a serious mistake by continuing to compete after experiencing a bout of diarrhea during a Hyrox race in Beijing in September. The 24-year-old admitted that her determination to win affected her judgment and potentially exposed other competitors to contamination risks.

Wietrzyk made the admission in her first interview with the BBC since the incident. She also apologized to those affected, accepted responsibility for her actions, and confirmed that the experience had significantly affected her mental health.

The incident occurred approximately halfway through the competition, which combines running with fitness exercises such as sled pushes, burpee jumps, indoor rowing, and sandbag lunges. Images showing fecal matter on parts of her body subsequently circulated widely online.

Wietrzyk acknowledged that her decision to remain in the competition was entirely her own.

"It was my decision to continue racing so I take full responsibility for that."

She explained that her competitive mindset prevented her from properly considering the potential consequences for other participants.

"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."

Wietrzyk described the incident and the subsequent public reaction as "traumatic". She also revealed that she had considered leaving the sport, despite holding a world record.

The athlete said she had developed a bacterial infection following food poisoning but initially felt physically prepared for the Beijing competition.

"Feeling fresh, feeling really, really good."

She recalled that her symptoms appeared suddenly during the event, leaving her focused primarily on completing the race.

"It was a very sudden experience."

Wietrzyk described how her competitive instincts took over when the incident occurred.

"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."

She subsequently acknowledged the potential consequences for fellow competitors.

"Obviously I did put other people at risk."

Hyrox co-founder Moritz Fürste apologized for the organization's handling of the situation, acknowledging that officials should have intervened immediately. The organization has since introduced new regulations allowing race directors to remove athletes whose vomit, urine, or feces create contamination risks or threaten participant welfare.

Wietrzyk initially responded defiantly on social media before deleting her post. The message included the expressions "Go hard or go home" and "a win is a win". She later apologized and announced that she would surrender her victory and withdraw retroactively from the Beijing competition.

She regretted the initial response, explaining that she had been in "flight or fight mode" while seeking hospital treatment.

"I didn't really account for what the public would have seen that situation as."

Regarding the timing of her apology, Wietrzyk said she needed time to understand what had happened and process the public reaction.

"I needed those days to reflect on it and process it."

She also discussed the intense competitive mentality commonly associated with elite athletes.

"They're so hyper-vigilant on winning and doing the best that they can, putting their training to good use and showcasing their fitness to the world."

Reflecting on the experience, Wietrzyk said her priorities had begun to change.

"There is more to life… than just racing and just winning."

The incident also triggered widespread criticism and online harassment. Hyrox previously warned that anyone sending abusive messages or threats to Wietrzyk would face bans from future competitions. Her family also received threats, while Hyrox China reportedly refunded entry fees to some competitors.

Wietrzyk described the period following the incident as a "mentally and emotionally taxing period". She said the response demonstrated how damaging social media could become.

"Toxic place."

She said the scale of the attention had surprised her, particularly given her age and the circumstances surrounding the competition.

"[It] was very eye-opening for me to see the effect of social media nowadays, especially from someone who's 24, just out there racing."

Although she accepted responsibility for her decision, Wietrzyk questioned the extent of the online harassment directed at her and her family.

"Yes, I did make the wrong decision but I don't believe I should have received such backlash and such scrutiny online… At the end of the day I'm only human."

She said she had temporarily withdrawn from social media and tried to distance herself from public attention.

"Isolate herself from the world."

However, she acknowledged that avoiding the outside world indefinitely was not possible.

"I can't do that forever."

Wietrzyk remains determined to continue competing and believes her experience could help others facing difficult situations in sport.

"My mental resilience is the key here where I can inspire others through what I've been through."

She is scheduled to return to competition in Hamburg on Friday, October 30, 2026. Wietrzyk admitted feeling nervous about competing again and said she did not want the Beijing incident to define her identity as an athlete.

"I don't want it to become my identity."