Holy sh*t: The way HYROX responded to poo-gate is insane, so here are the odd statements in full

Pooing during the middle of a HYROX competition is jarring enough, but people are genuinely stunned by the way officials have responded to the scandal involving Joanna Wietrzyk. 

Joanna Wietrzyk, 24, was competing in a HYROX competition in Beijing, China, when – as you’ve no doubt seen – she went to the toilet. She continued afterwards, even with excrement running down her legs, completing the rowing machine, sledge push, and medicine ball sections in record time. She won the whole thing with a time of 61 minutes and 23 seconds.

Though she’s yet to officially comment on the moment or the backlash that came from it, Joanna did joke in a since-deleted Instagram story: “Go hard or go home … a win is a win. In all seriousness, thank you for all the support. I’ll be back soon x.”

The debate rages on, even now, but most of the controversy is centred around HYROX itself, and how it responded to the scandal. The fitness company and its officials have since spoken out, and they’re remarkably chill about a woman sh*tting all over the arena. 

HYROX’s first statement went super viral 

In the brand’s very first response to the scandal, which has since been deleted, HYROX largely focused on itself and not what Joanna did. 

In full, it read: “As our sport continues to evolve, we are encountering new and increasingly complex situations that challenge us and where additional clarity is needed. This happened this weekend in China. We ask our athletes to push themselves to the highest levels. At times, they will go beyond what even we thought was possible.

“That courage, resilience and refusal to give in are precisely what makes elite athletes so extraordinary. Our role is to give them the right framework and the right boundaries within which they can compete, perform and express themselves at their very best. HYROX has clear biocontaminant and medical procedures in place. In this instance, an unforeseen situation arose in which protocols designed for elite competition and mass participation became blurred, creating ambiguity in how they were applied and understood.

“We recognise that this can understandably lead to frustration, questions and strong views within our community. Those concerns are legitimate and, as organisers, we must be prepared to hear them, examine what happened and take responsibility for continuing to improve. And we will. But there is an important line.”

Now, here’s where people on Twitter really got angry. 

Insane gaslighting statement from Hyrox

Sorry you may permanently ban me

This is stupid. Defecating in a closed venue event is a biohazard risk especially when equipments are being shared

Can we ask for full refund? pic.twitter.com/AB4gIt9jpU

— Wilson is Running 🇲🇾 (@wilsonyimby) September 14, 2026

The statement continued: “Frustration should never be directed towards the athletes themselves. They are the people who put themselves on the line, compete at the highest level and make competition what it is. There is no place in our community for threats of violence or encouragement to harm an athlete. As this has happened this weekend, we want to be very clear and direct: Any person identified as engaging in this behaviour – whether through comments, direct messages or social media – will be permanently banned from all HYROX events. We are currently reviewing and identifying those responsible, and action will be taken.

“We are proud of what we have built together: a global movement driven by ambition, passion, grit and an extraordinary community of people who care deeply about this sport. We will continue to listen. We will continue to learn. And, above all, we will continue to put the welfare and dignity of the athletes at the centre of what comes next. We move forward together – with passion, with grit and with mutual respect.”

Though literally everyone should agree that hate and threats are inherently wrong, people took issue with the fact that HYROX seemed to condemn critics more than Joanna, as if she simply didn’t have a choice. Others also pointed out that Joanna’s act affected other competitors, potentially putting them off their game. 

Then the co-founder issued a statement 

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A post shared by Mo Fuerste (@mofuerste)

In 2017, HYROX was founded by event organiser Christian Toetzke, Olympic hockey medalist Moritz Fürste, and marketing expert Michael Trautmann. 

In an Instagram post after the scandal, Moritz said: “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. We learn and try to get better everyday.”

Again, this statement made people angry. 

“Joke of a founder,” one person wrote. 

Joanna’s coach said more of the same 

To successfully become a HYROX-certified coach, fitness fanatics have to complete the HYROX Academy to get the qualification. Joanna’s coach, Chris Bayens, reached “elite” level, but his statement was also jarring, albeit a little more nuanced. 

He said on Instagram: “What happened was an extraordinary set of circumstances that were unforeseen, rapidly evolving and almost impossible to fully comprehend in real time.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Chris Bayens | Elite Hyrox Coach (@thebayensmethod)

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. 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. Sport occasionally produces moments that are imperfect and deeply human. Discussion is legitimate. The hatred and personal attacks that have followed are not.”

If anything, the statements have only infuriated the situation. People simply can’t understand why there are no ramifications for Joanna. 

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Featured image credit: Instagram