Hyrox world champion wins race in Beijing despite diarrhea attack

He won the Hyrox race, an indoor fitness competition, despite a bout of diarrhea on the race course. It happened to Joanna Wietrzyk, Hyrox world champion, who fell ill while taking part in the elite race (16-24 years category) in Beijing.

Both the organization and the athlete have been subject to harsh criticism online; many have highlighted the health risks resulting from the failure to exclude the Australian athlete from the competition. So much so that the organizers will review their procedures.

Hyrox's statement

Hyrox published a statement on its Instagram profile, recognizing the critical issues in managing the incident and committing to making the most of it for the future. “As our sport continues to evolve, we are faced with new and increasingly complex situations that challenge us and require greater clarity. This is what happened this weekend in China. We ask our athletes to push themselves beyond their limits, reaching the highest levels. Sometimes, they go beyond goals that we ourselves thought impossible. That courage, that resilience and that determination not to give up is precisely what makes elite athletes extraordinary. Our job is to provide them with the appropriate context and parameters within which they can compete, express their talent and give the best of oneself."