Joanna Wietrzyk announces HYROX return after human waste incident in Beijing

Dubai: HYROX world champion Joanna Wietrzyk will return to competition in Hamburg, Germany, on Friday, October 30, after a human-waste contamination incident during a race in Beijing sparked widespread backlash and forced the fitness competition to change its rules.

The 22-year-old Australian announced her comeback in an Instagram video on Wednesday, apologising again for continuing to race after suffering a medical episode during the September 12 event.

“I’m truly, truly so sorry to everyone that I affected, whether they were spectators or participants out on that race floor, for my decision to choose to continue to race,” Wietrzyk said.

She added that the six to eight weeks since the incident had given her time to reflect and learn from the experience. She also thanked those who supported her and said she was excited to return to the sport she loves.

Wietrzyk won the women’s race in Beijing but faced criticism after continuing the shared course and using equipment despite the contamination risk. On September 17, she issued a formal apology, withdrew her result and forfeited the points earned from her victory.

HYROX also apologised for failing to intervene immediately. Co-founder Moritz Fürste acknowledged that the organisation had made a mistake and said changes to event procedures and the rulebook were introduced.

The revised rules allow race directors to withdraw competitors on medical grounds if blood, vomit, urine or faeces pose a welfare or contamination risk to themselves or others.

Friday’s event in Hamburg marks Wietrzyk’s first race since Beijing and the opening of the 2026-27 HYROX Elite Series. The women’s Elite 15 race is scheduled for October 30, with the competition bringing together leading athletes in the sport.

Wietrzyk remains one of HYROX’s leading competitors, and her return will put the focus back on racing after weeks of controversy.