Hyrox winner kept racing after losing bowel control in Beijing; organizers apologize

What happened

Hyrox, an international indoor fitness competition combining running with stations such as sled pushes and pulls, burpees, rowing and sandbag lunges, saw an unusual incident in Beijing on Saturday, September 12. Joanna Wietrzyk, the women's solo world record holder, suffered fecal incontinence during the race but kept competing and ultimately won. Photos and videos circulating on Chinese social media showed her continuing to exercise, including on shared equipment, with soiled legs and shoes.

Organizers' response

On Sunday, Hyrox co-founder Moritz Fürste posted an apology, saying the company "made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race" and apologizing to everyone "directly or indirectly affected." He said new rules and procedures had been put in place as a result but did not specify what they were. A second statement, later removed, said the sport was facing increasingly complex situations and that while Hyrox has clear biocontaminant and medical protocols, in this case the line between elite and mass-participation protocols became blurred. Hyrox has not explained why the statement was taken down.

The athlete's reaction

After winning, Wietrzyk posted a message on social media that was later deleted. According to reports, it read: "Go hard or go home ... a win is a win." Some reports indicate the post appeared to be from a hospital bed and also thanked fans for support while saying she would "be back soon." According to headlines from other outlets, her coach has publicly criticized "personal attacks" directed at the athlete, though further detail was not available.

Why this happens

Experts say fecal incontinence, while shocking to witness, is not uncommon among endurance athletes. During intense effort, blood flow is diverted away from the digestive system toward working muscles, impairing digestion, while the up-and-down motion of running physically jostles internal organs. The involuntary ring of the anal sphincter also weakens under extreme exertion. Diet plays a role too — Wietrzyk reportedly ate street food in Beijing the day before the race, a possible contributing factor. Research suggests women face a higher risk due to pelvic floor anatomy and hormonal factors. One 2014 study found that 30 to 90 percent of endurance runners experience gastrointestinal complaints during competition. Similar incidents have affected other athletes historically, including Paula Radcliffe during the 2005 London Marathon and this year's Comrades Marathon winner, George Kusche.