Viral HYROX athlete who apologised after pooping during race says she is returning in the Elite 15

After one of the most talked-about moments in HYROX, Joanna Wietrzyk has shared a new message that does two things at once. The Australian athlete apologises again for staying in the race after suffering bowel incontinence in Beijing, and confirms she is already preparing for another competition at the sport's highest level.

Her latest update is not a retreat from racing

Wietrzyk posted an Instagram video more than a month after the incident that put her at the centre of a much wider debate about racing, hygiene and where organisers should step in. In it, she says she is truly sorry to the people affected by her decision to continue, specifically mentioning both spectators and fellow participants who were on the race floor.

She says the time since then has given her a chance to reflect, and that she has learned a lot from the situation. Wietrzyk also describes the experience of dealing with the fallout as hard and confronting, before thanking the people who contacted her with support, whether personally or through her team.

In the clip below, she also reveals that she is in Hamburg getting ready to race in the Elite 15, which is described as HYROX's highest division. She says she is excited to get back to doing what she loves and hopes to see people out there.

That update matters because Wietrzyk's name spread far beyond the sport after what happened at the HYROX Beijing competition in September. During the event, she suffered bowel incontinence on the course and still went on to win.

The finish did not end the discussion. Instead, it intensified criticism of both the athlete and the event itself, with many people focusing on hygiene concerns and questioning why she was able to keep going. An event organiser later said contaminated equipment had been removed.

The apology had already gone beyond a single video

Wietrzyk had already addressed the incident publicly before this latest post. In a statement dated September 17, she apologised to the people of China, her fellow competitors, spectators and HYROX organisers for what happened during the Beijing race.

She said at the time that her actions affected more than just herself, and that she was genuinely sorry to everyone impacted. She also said she was learning from the experience and would carry those lessons forward, including recognising that there is more to life than racing and understanding when it is right to step away.

That statement included a concrete sporting consequence as well. Wietrzyk said she had decided to retroactively withdraw from the race and give up the points she earned there.

The fallout also forced HYROX to respond

The controversy did not stop with Wietrzyk's own apology. Moritz Fürste, HYROX's co-founder, later said there would be immediate changes to the competition rulebook.

The issue drew extra attention because people pointed out a contrast in the existing rules. Athletes could be penalised for spitting on the track, yet Wietrzyk received no penalty at the time for defecating on the course.

Fürste apologised to people who were affected directly or indirectly, as well as to those who felt the situation had not been handled properly. He said HYROX made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race, and added that it was his responsibility to foresee incidents like that, something he said he had failed to do.

Now the next chapter is another start line

For now, Wietrzyk's newest message suggests she is trying to move forward through competition rather than stepping back from it altogether. Her update does not announce a break from the sport. Instead, it confirms she is preparing for Hamburg and for the Elite 15 field.

The response to the post has also been noticeably supportive. Her recent video has attracted a wave of positive comments, with followers encouraging her ahead of the next event.

That does not change what happened in Beijing, or the fact that both the athlete and HYROX publicly apologised afterward. But it does mean the story has reached an unusual point. The athlete whose race became a flashpoint for debate is now heading back into the top tier of the same sport, with her next appearance already in view.

What this kind of race involves

This style of fitness race mixes running with functional workout stations. Competitors alternate between run segments and tasks such as pushing or pulling weighted equipment, rowing, carrying loads, lunging and finishing with a wall ball style movement. The format is designed to test engine, strength, grip, pacing and the ability to recover quickly before moving again.

Most events are built so everyday gym goers can enter, but there is also a top tier field for the fastest qualifiers or invited athletes. At that level, small mistakes in pacing, transitions, footwear, grip care and fuelling can make a big difference. For newcomers, the main lesson is simple: train for the switch between cardio and strength, not just each part on its own.

Why stomach accidents can happen in endurance fitness events

Digestive trouble is common in hard races, especially when effort stays high for a long time. Running creates repeated impact through the abdomen, while heavy exertion can divert blood away from the gut. Add nerves, heat, caffeine, energy gels, sports drinks or unfamiliar pre race food, and the stomach can become unpredictable.

Problems can range from cramping and nausea to diarrhoea or loss of bowel control. It is embarrassing, but it is also a known risk in endurance sport. Tight race suits and high intensity effort can make accidents more visible, which is one reason these moments spread online so quickly.

Practical ways athletes try to reduce the risk

Experienced racers usually keep race day nutrition boring and familiar. That often means avoiding heavy, greasy, very spicy or high fibre meals beforehand, and being careful with large amounts of caffeine, sweeteners and concentrated gels if they have caused issues before.

Hydration matters, but overdoing fluids can also upset the stomach. Many athletes plan toilet stops before warm up, test their fuelling in training, and avoid trying a new supplement on race day. If gut problems happen often, sports dietitians and doctors can help rule out food intolerance, IBS, infection, pelvic floor issues or simple pacing mistakes. The most useful rule is to practise exactly how you plan to eat, drink and race.