HYROX faecal incident may spread 'highly contagious' disease warns health expert
An expert of infectious diseases has weighed in on the ongoing debate around HYROX and has warned of a potential public health risk.
Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk experienced bowel incontinence during a HYROX race in Beijing on Saturday (12 September) and ended up hitting headlines across the globe as a result.
Despite soiling herself mid-way through the competition, 22-year-old Wietrzyk not only finished but came in first place.
However, her decision to continue on after she soiled has sparked debate online with some suggesting she should have dropped out and HYROX swiftly announcing a change to its rules to avoid such incidents in future.
Advert
While some of those who competed in the event demanded refunds, claiming they had been forced to touch potentially contaminated equipment.
Now, Professor Ramon Shaban, a communicable disease expert from the Sydney Infectious Disease Institute at the University of Sydney, has weighed in on the incident and highlighted the potential dangers.
Speaking to news.com.au, he said that ‘many gastrointestinal infections and diseases, such as the highly-contagious norovirus’ are spread through the ‘faecal-oral route’ when people are in groups together, particularly public spaces.
Shaban said that competitors and organisers of such events should jointly shoulder the responsibility to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
“Whenever people come together at mass gathering events or events of this nature, it is always important to consider what both individuals themselves and organisers can do to lower the risk of transmission of infection from one person to another,” he said.
“But there are two parts to this. One is individuals themselves, and two is the organisers of any kind of event.
“Both parties have a responsibility to ensure that they conduct themselves in a way that … minimises the risk of the transmission of any kind of infectious agent.”
He went on to say that gastrointestinal infections such as norovirus and giardiasis can pass easily from person to person through contaminated food or water, or via contact with contaminated surfaces and objects - such as gym equipment or mats.
The infections can bring with them a host of nasty - and potentially severe - symptoms including stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, that can last for days.
In response to the incident, HYROX co-founder Moritz Fuerste issued a statement apologising and said he and his team were making ‘immediate’ changes to how things are done/
"I need to address all of you directly concerning the recent events in China,” he said in the statement shared on Instagram.
"I apologise to all that were directly or indirectly affected, as well as to everyone who felt like we did not handle the situation like we should have.
"HYROX made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race. In the end it is my job to foresee the potential incidents - and I did not.
"Of course, we started improving event processes, plus making rulebook changes immediately. As of this moment, there are new rules and procedures in place to prevent situations like this from happening again.
"We learn and try to get better everyday."
Topics: Sport, Health, World News, Australia
Claire Reid