Hyrox to change rules after athlete Joanna Wietrzyk's race incident in Beijing

Hyrox will adjust its procedures after controversy surrounding Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk, who finished a race in Beijing with soiled legs after defecating during the competition. The 22-year-old world champion's victory sparked a storm of criticism online. The incident occurred Saturday when Wietrzyk continued racing despite the accident, using shared equipment that other competitors also touched. Critics, including fellow athletes Benjamin Amsallem and Isaih King, cited health and hygiene risks, noting toilets were available and she could have paused. Hyrox World acknowledged in an Instagram statement that the situation was mishandled due to confusion between elite and mass-event protocols. The organization promised to clarify procedures. Wietrzyk was hospitalized for checks afterward and later deleted her Instagram post.