“I got disqualified for going to the toilet before the race. How come people can race while having diarrhea and not get disqualified?” Zakaria wrote on social media. “Maybe it’s time to retire from Hyrox.”
Another participant questioned Zakaria’s account, claiming other competitors had done the same without being disqualified.
“Maybe it was something else you did?” the participant asked.
Zakaria again asserted it was because of the toilet.
“Late start. Going to toilet before the race, the point is why late start got disqualified and why can athletes continue racing even when they have [diarrhoea] during the race?”
Under Hyrox rules, competitors are assigned a start time. If a participant starts at a different time without permission, they can be listed as an “Incorrect Start Time” violation, which carries automatic disqualification, the Daily Mail reported.
Melbourne athlete Joanna Wietrzyk at the Hyrox event in Beijing. Photo / Instagram
Zakaria’s comments come after Hyrox co-founder Moritz Fuerste apologised and announced rule changes.
“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,” Fuerste said.
“Hyrox made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race.”
Fuerste said event procedure and rulebook changes began immediately after the incident.
“As of this moment, there are new rules and procedures in place to prevent situations like this from happening again.”
Hyrox China has also submitted a request for rule changes concerning hygiene standards. The organisation has warned that threatening or bullying participants could result in a ban.