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September 15, 2026 \u2014 3:50pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Hyrox, the world\u2019s fastest-growing sport<\/a>, made worldwide headlines this week for all the wrong reasons. At the centre of the media storm was Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk, who continued to compete in the indoor fitness race in Beijing on September 12 \u2013 going on to win \u2013 after soiling herself.<\/p>\n Videos of the world record holder using communal equipment, including sandbags and kettlebells, while excrement is visible on her legs and arms, have gone viral, sparking debate about health and safety standards and athlete responsibility.<\/p>\n On social media, many people raised their concerns, labelling the athlete \u201cselfish\u201d and citing the hypocrisy of Hyrox\u2019s no-spitting or nostril-clearing policy.<\/p>\n Hyrox co-founder Moritz F\u00fcrste issued an apology to participants in an Instagram post<\/a> on Monday, admitting the company made a mistake by allowing Wietrzyk to continue competing in the race.<\/p>\n \u201cI apologise to all who were directly or indirectly affected, as well as to everyone who felt like we did not handle the situation as we should have.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cHyrox made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race. In the end, it is my job to foresee these potential incidents \u2013 and I did not.\u201d<\/p>\n Hyrox has now updated its rules to, as F\u00fcrste puts it, \u201cprevent situations like this from happening again\u201d. However, some people \u2013 including Wietrzyk, who posted \u201ca win is a win\u201d in a now-deleted Instagram post \u2013 see the incident differently.<\/p>\n Li Hongxin, associate professor of sports management at China\u2019s Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, said athletes should not be criticised or judged for experiencing a physiological problem. \u201cI think her determination and sportsmanship are very understandable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n In reality, for many athletes, this \u201cphysiological problem\u201d is common. British athlete Paula Radcliffe won the 2005 London marathon after being forced to relieve herself by the side of the road in full view of cameras, and a recent study found that up to 96 per cent of ultramarathon runners<\/a> experience gastrointestinal distress.<\/p>\n Two of the components of this gastrointestinal distress \u2013 the urge to defecate, and diarrhoea \u2013 are often referred to informally as \u201crunner\u2019s trots\u201d and can occur immediately before, during or shortly after running or other exhaustive exercise, says Dr Vini Cruzat, a lecturer in food, nutrition and dietetics at La Trobe University.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the scientific literature, it is more commonly referred to as runner\u2019s diarrhoea or exercise-induced diarrhoea, and it falls within the broader category of exercise-associated gastrointestinal symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n Why can this happen during exercise?<\/p>\n While the name is associated with running, runner\u2019s trots can occur in many other sports, particularly during prolonged and\/or high-intensity exercise.<\/p>\n \u201cExamples include cycling and triathlon, but gastrointestinal symptoms can also occur during other strenuous forms of exercise, including weightlifting and powerlifting,\u201d Cruzat says.<\/p>\n In running, the repetitive impact creates mechanical movement of the gastrointestinal tract, which may contribute to bowel urgency and changes in bowel function. At the same time, strenuous exercise redirects blood flow away from the gastrointestinal tract towards the working muscles and towards the skin to help regulate body temperature.<\/p>\n \u201cThis reduction in blood flow to the gut can affect normal intestinal function, including intestinal integrity, absorption and motility,\u201d says Cruzat. \u201cAgain, these physiological changes are not unique to runners, which is why gastrointestinal symptoms can occur during many forms of prolonged or strenuous exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n Another factor is the activation of the sympathetic nervous system during strenuous exercise.<\/p>\n \u201cThis may partly explain why some athletes experience bowel urgency even before exercise begins,\u201d says Cruzat.<\/p>\n While common, symptoms vary widely, and some people appear much more susceptible than others.<\/p>\n \u201cAn individual\u2019s gut sensitivity and function, training status, diet, hydration, psychological stress or anxiety, and in women potentially hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle, can all contribute to the issue,\u201d Cruzat says.<\/p>\n What can be done to prevent it?<\/p>\n Unfortunately, no single strategy can completely prevent the issue as causes are multifactorial and vary between individuals. However, Cruzat outlines steps that may reduce the risk.<\/p>\n Train your gut Related Article Consider the type, amount and timing of food and fluid Stay hydrated Seek professional advice \u201cA qualified dietitian or nutritionist specialising in sports nutrition is best placed to help athletes individualise these strategies, identify potential dietary triggers and optimise nutrition and hydration while reducing the risk of gastrointestinal symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox<\/a> every Monday.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n From our partners![\"Australian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789992049_701_13c092af122ed95a7042b682c54c83298d12c9ad.jpeg\")
Australian Joanna Wietrzyk took part in HYROX Beijing 2026 on September 12.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Jon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/81d3f9eca0e645fb5b3987c9731ac71f6544be0b.jpeg\")
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Staying hydrated is key, but excess water should also be avoided.Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cResearch shows that the gastrointestinal system can actually be trained,\u201d Cruzat says. \u201cRepeatedly practising the intake of carbohydrate, food and fluids during training can improve the gut\u2019s tolerance and its ability to absorb nutrients, potentially reducing gastrointestinal discomfort and symptoms during competition.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Physical](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/535069566d79eac8c97747936dff4f843e7bc818.jpeg\")
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\u201cAthletes who are susceptible may benefit from avoiding very large meals close to exercise and being careful with foods particularly high in fat, fibre or other poorly tolerated components before competition,\u201d says Cruzat.<\/p>\n
This is especially important during prolonged exercise and in hot conditions, but both inadequate and excessive fluid intake should be avoided. Balance is key.<\/p>\n
\u201cAthletes who repeatedly experience severe gastrointestinal symptoms should also seek assessment from an appropriately qualified health professional rather than simply accepting them as a normal part of exercise,\u201d Cruzat says.<\/p>\n