SYDNEY: Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk (pic) has apologised and retroactively withdrawn from the Hyrox Beijing race after facing criticism for continuing to compete despite suffering bowel incontinence.
Wietrzyk apologised to the people of China, fellow competitors, spectators and Hyrox organisers, saying she had felt “completely fit and healthy” at the start of the race and had not expected to become ill.
“Looking back, I regret the decision not to step off the track. I recognise that I should have made a different choice,” she said in a statement.
Wietrzyk said she took responsibility for continuing to compete and was “deeply sorry” for the discomfort and disruption caused by her actions.
“On reflection, I have decided to retroactively withdraw from the race and forfeit the points I earned,” she said.
Hyrox had earlier apologised over its handling of the incident and introduced new rules and procedures after organisers acknowledged they should have intervened during the race.
Wietrzyk said she would take time away to recover, reflect and look after herself and her family.
