A high-endurance athlete got the runs in the middle of a race, and now the organization is left to clean up what has caused a big stink online.
Joanna Wietrzyk was taking part in this past weekend’s HYROX event in Beijing when she suffered a bout of bowel incontinence during the competition, leaving her legs stained with fecal matter.
What happened during the race?
The incident can be described as “viral” by two different definitions.
Pictures from the event blew up on social media after the incident, while fellow competitors called into question the potential hygienic ramifications of competing near someone who had soiled themselves.
Despite the diarrhea, Wietrzyk continued to press on during the event, which involves burpees, lunges and wall balls.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
Perhaps the most impressive feat was that, despite the awful incident, Wietrzyk went on to win the event.
In what appears to now be a major oversight in the competition’s rule book, spitting, blowing your nose and littering are explicitly banned, yet defecating apparently is not.
What did HYROX say about the incident?
The online backlash prompted HYROX co-founder Moritz Fürste to address the incident, stating that the organization would make immediate rule changes.
“I need to address all of you directly concerning the recent events in China,” Fürste posted on Instagram.
“I apologize to all who were directly or indirectly affected, as well as to everyone who felt that we did not handle the situation as we should have.
“HYROX made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race.
“In the end, it is my job to foresee these potential incidents — and I did not.
“Of course, we have already started improving event processes and making changes to the rulebook. As of this moment, new rules and procedures are in place to prevent situations like this from happening again.
“We learn and try to get better every day.”
After the event, HYROX underwent a “major clean-up operation,” which included sanitizing equipment and replacing sections of carpet, while affected areas and race lanes were isolated and thoroughly disinfected.
What did Wietrzyk’s coach say about the poop incident?
Wietrzyk’s coach, Chris Bayens, spoke out about the incident on Instagram, defending the champion and asking for an end to the online hate directed toward her.
“Judging someone’s intent, character or morality through the clarity of hindsight is neither fair nor honest,” he said. “Discussion is legitimate. The hatred and personal attacks that followed are not.”
He added that others should consider the mental health of athletes before criticizing them for decisions made in the heat of the moment.
“No one is perfect, not in sport, not on social media, not in real life,” he said. “What happened was extraordinary. The hatred that has followed is ugly.”