Hyrox coach speaks out as athlete prompts rule change after soiling herself at competition

Joanna Wietrzyk's coach has now spoken out after she was seen soiling herself during a race in China, then went on to win her event.

Over the weekend, Australian world record holder Wietrzyk was competing in the HYROX Pro event in Beijing when she appeared to defecate mid-race.

Instead of stopping, the athlete continued competing, taking on shared stations including the rowing machine, sledge push and medicine ball throw before eventually winning the women's HYROX Pro event in the 16-24 age category with a time of 1:01:23.

The ordeal sparked major backlash from the sporting community and beyond, prompting questions around HYROX's rules and how organisers should deal with incidents involving bodily fluids during competition.

HYROX organisers have since responded alongside HYROX co-founder Moritz Fürste, who personally issued a statement 'addressing the China incident directly'.

In the social media post, he apologised on behalf of HYROX and confirmed that its rules and procedures will be changed following the incident.

He continued: "I need to address all of you directly concerning the recent events in China.

"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 these 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."

Fürste rounded off the announcement: "We learn and try to get better everyday."

And now, Wietrzyk's coach has weighed in on the situation.

Taking to Instagram earlier this week on Monday (14 September), elite HYROX coach Chris Bayens shared a statement with his 11.5k followers.

The text post begins: "What happened was an extraordinary set of circumstances that were unforeseen, rapidly evolving and almost impossible to fully comprehend in real time.

"Decisions were made under competition conditions by an athlete, judges and officials, all responding to a situation none of them could reasonably have prepared for."

He continued: "It is very easy to construct the perfect response once the moment has passed.

"Hindsight gives people time, information and distance that simply did not exist for those actually living it.

"Those decisions can be reviewed and lessons can be taken from them. But judging someone's intent, character or morality through the clarity of hindsight is neither fair nor honest."

Bayens added: "Sport occasionally produces moments that are imperfect and deeply human.

"Discussion is legitimate.

"The hatred and personal attacks that have followed are not."

The coach captioned the post: "The physical health and performance of an athlete is my job.

"The mental health of athletes is shaped far more by the community around them, and right now that community should take a hard look at itself.

"No one is perfect, not in sport, not on social media, not in real life.

"What happened was extraordinary.

"The hatred that has followed is ugly."

Tyla has previously reached out to HYROX for further comment.