Hyrox athlete who soiled herself admits putting others ‘at risk’ but backlash ‘traumatic’ | BBC News

Australian Hyrox athlete Joanna Wietrzyk has admitted that her decision to keep racing after soiling herself at an endurance event in Beijing put others at risk. In an exclusive interview with the BBC ahead of her return to the sport, she said she took full responsibility and apologised to those affected. She described the experience and the backlash that followed as traumatic and said she had considered leaving the sport.

• Joanna Wietrzyk, 24, acknowledges that continuing to race was her decision and her responsibility
• She says her wish to win the Hyrox race in Beijing in September clouded her judgement
• After initially defiant comments in a now-deleted Instagram post, she apologised and said she would forfeit the win
• She describes the backlash as traumatic and says she considered walking away from the sport

An Australian athlete has admitted putting others at risk by continuing to race after soiling herself during an endurance sports event. Speaking exclusively to the BBC ahead of her return to the sport, Joanna Wietrzyk suggested her determination to win the Hyrox race in Beijing in September had clouded her judgement: "It was my decision to continue racing so I take full responsibility for that". Challenged over why she carried on, she said: “I didn’t really think about those around me… the decision that I made in hindsight was the wrong decision and I’m truly sorry for everyone that I did affect.” The 24-year-old said that the experience and subsequent backlash was “traumatic”. She also said she considered walking away from the sport. Although initially appearing defiant in a now-deleted Instagram post, Wietrzyk apologised in the week after the Beijing event and said she would forfeit the win and retroactively withdraw from the race. Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news #BBCNews