Rule change submitted to HYROX HQ after athlete refused to quit race despite soiling herself
HYROX China is the first international division of the popular fitness event to ask for change in light of Joanna Wietrzyk's 'accident' at the weekend.
During the latest Beijing show on Saturday, 12 September, Australian whizz Wietrzyk simply brushed off the fact she'd soiled herself and kept competing; going on to claim victory in the women's solo race with a time of 61 minutes and 23 seconds.
Even though athletes aren't allowed to spit, snot or litter on the course, organisers never once stepped in to reprimand Wietrzyk, who was filmed by fans with faecal matter plastered to her legs.
According to the event's organisers, a team of cleaners were given the night to blitz all contaminated areas - the carpets were replaced too - but the lack of instant intervention has caused a stir amongst competitors and industry figures.
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Per The Global Times, today, HYROX China issued a statement with the express aim of initiating changes to the current system.
They want scenarios involving severe physical discomfort and publish health risks to be listed in the rulebook, because as things stand there are no official penalties in place.
HYROX HQ has heard from the Chinese arm of the business and must now consider adding detailed revisions on course management, event suspension and result determination guidelines.
Over on social media, HYROX commentators found the whole incident disgraceful, arguing how Wietrzyk should've been disqualified on the spot.
"Should be an immediate DQ and removal from the event. I've the same opinion of that during marathons/triathlons," read one Reddit reaction.
"This is a biohazard. Full stop," declared another. "Sometimes we're betrayed by our body, and it's out of our personal control, but I think perhaps HYROX should have instantly DQ'ed her and offered her another chance at a different time/place so that the spread [of] bodily fluids won't put other athlete's health at risk."
Fascinatingly, the world record-holding athlete herself seemed completely indifferent towards the controversy.
Posting a selfie via Instagram Stories (which has since been removed), Wietrzyk gave her followers a peek behind the curtain as she absorbed much-needed fluids and nutrients through an IV tube.
"Go hard or go home ... a win is a win," she defiantly captioned it. "In all seriousness, thank you for all the support. I'll be back soon x."
In April of this year, the 24-year-old made history by completing the HYROX Warsaw course in just 54 minutes 25 seconds
Dan Seddon