‘I’m genuinely sorry’: Australian Hyrox athlete who soiled herself apologises to China and rivals

Hyrox, an increasingly popular fitness competition launched in Germany in 2017, is now held in locations across the world. It made its debut in mainland China in late 2024.

    The Australian athlete who caused a storm by winning a Hyrox event in China despite soiling herself during the race has apologised to the “people of China” and rival athletes in a statement online.

Posting on Instagram, Joanna Wietrzyk offered a “sincere apology” to the “people of China, my fellow competitors, the spectators and the Hyrox organisers for what happened during the race in Beijing”.

Footage of Wietrzyk, a world record-holder, went viral after it showed her competing in – and winning – Saturday’s event with demanding exercises and using communal equipment, despite having faecal matter running down her legs.