Australian HYROX star Joanna Wietrzyk has sparked a fierce debate over hygiene and race safety after she was allowed to continue competing and win a HYROX Beijing event despite defecating mid-race, prompting organisers to acknowledge concerns over how protocols were applied without explicitly apologising to other athletes.
Wietrzyk, 22, was competing in the Women's Pro division when the incident occurred, with footage circulating online showing her continuing through the indoor fitness course with visible faecal matter on her body. She went on to finish the race and take first place.