Joanna Wietrzyk is apologizing after receiving backlash over her actions during a HYROX indoor fitness event earlier this month.
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Wietrzyk soiled herself during the global endurance race in Beijing on September 12. Photos that quickly surfaced online showed the Australian runner with brown feces running down both legs during the age 16-24 elite race. The runner quickly became the subject of backlash, as many people said his actions were both selfish and dangerous.
Wietrzyk Apologized For Finishing Race After Soiling Herself
On Thursday (September 17), Joanna released a statement taking full accountability for her actions.
" I want to offer my sincere apology to the people of China, my fellow competitors, the spectators, and the HYROX organizers for what happened during the race in Beijing," she wrote in a message on her Instagram page on Thursday.j
I felt completely fit and healthy at the start of the race, with no reason to expect any illness. Looking back, I regret the decision not to step off the track. I recognize that I should have made a different choice. I take responsibility for my decision to continue and am deeply sorry for the discomfort and disruption it caused.
Joanna was crowned first-place champion of the event. She finished with a time of 1:01:23, beating the United States' Alyssa McElheny by 45 seconds (USA Today). But amid the backlash she has received for finishing the race, the HYROX athlete says she is forfeiting the points that she earned.
"I know my actions had an impact beyond myself, and I am genuinely sorry to everyone who was affected. I am learning from this experience and will carry those lessons with me, including remembering that there is more to life than racing and knowing when it is right to step away," she added in the statement. "On reflection, I have decided to retroactively withdraw from the race and forfeit the points I earned."
