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Hyrox changes rules after athlete finishes race after soiling herself in Beijing

usatoday.com — September 14, 2026 at 07:01 PM UTC

Hyrox is updating its rules after allowing elite athlete Joanna Wietrzyk to finish and win a race in Beijing on Sept. 12 despite soiling herself mid-competition, sparking health concerns and online backlash. The 22-year-old Australian world champion continued through multiple stations after the incident at the fourth exercise, winning the age 16-24 elite race by 45 seconds. Co-founder Moritz Furste admitted organizers erred by not removing her, citing health risks. Hyrox has now added a rule permitting race directors to withdraw competitors for medical or hygiene risks, recording such cases as Did Not Finish. The organization condemned abuse toward Wietrzyk, whose coach noted she faced online attacks.

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Hyrox changes rules after athlete finishes race after soiling herself in Beijing | News Minimalist

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