Aussie HYROX star Joanna Wietrzyk has been targeted by trolls after suffering a bowel accident mid-race in Beijing, with an expert revealing diarrhoea problems are surprisingly common in endurance sport.
The 22-year-old Melbourne competitor found herself at the centre of a social media storm after footage emerged showing her winning a HYROX event despite experiencing bowel incontinence during the race.
Wietrzyk chose to push on through the gruelling event despite being covered in faeces, completing burpees, lunges and wall balls before going on to win the race.
The incident quickly divided opinion online, with some viewers praising her determination while others questioned why officials allowed her to remain in the competition.
While the incident attracted widespread attention because it unfolded in front of spectators and cameras, experts say digestive issues are among the most common and least discussed challenges faced by endurance athletes.
Dan Baumgardt, Senior Lecturer in Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience at the University of Bristol, said so-called ‘runner’s diarrhoea’ affects far more people than many realise.
Australian HYROX star Joanna Wietrzyk faced cruel online taunts after her widely reported bowel accident
The Melbourne athlete won the event despite suffering faecal incontinence while completing the demanding exercise stations
‘It comes under many guises: runner’s trots, runner’s gut, runner’s stomach, runner’s runs,’ he told The Conversation,
‘What we’re referring to is the overactive gastrointestinal tract brought on by the whole-body effects of running. This results in urgent, sometimes explosive diarrhoea.’
Baumgardt said the condition typically involves three symptoms: diarrhoea, abdominal cramping and an increased urge to open the bowels.
‘It’s actually more common than you think, with up to 96 per cent of endurance runners reportedly experiencing some sort of gastrointestinal symptom during a race,’ he said.
Researchers are still trying to fully understand what causes the problem, but one leading theory centres on how the body redirects blood flow during prolonged exercise.
The reduced blood flow may irritate the lining of the gut and disrupt the bacteria that naturally live there, increasing the likelihood of gastrointestinal symptoms.
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Should athletes be forced to stop mid-race after a medical accident or allowed to finish if they choose?
HYROX China said affected areas and race lanes were immediately closed and isolated, then thoroughly disinfected
‘When you start to exercise, your body shifts its attention away from resting and digesting, and diverts blood to tissues and organs that need it more – namely the heart, lungs and muscles.
‘Prolonged reduced blood flow to the gut could irritate and inflame its lining. This might also affect the bacterial colonies that reside within the gut. This may explain why a recent study suggests probiotics may work as a treatment.’
Nutrition may also play a significant role.
According to Baumgardt, foods high in fat, fibre and protein can trigger digestive activity before a race, which is why many endurance athletes favour simple carbohydrate-based meals before competition.
‘In addition, some of the other nutrients and substances we commonly use as a welcome boost for heavy exercise might be culprits.
‘Take caffeine, for instance. These stimulants might boost our energy, but they can also have a laxative effect in some people.’
The HYROX format sees competitors alternate between a 1km run and a functional workout station, repeated eight times. Wietrzyk completed the event covered in faecal matter
She went on to win the race despite the accident
Certain carbohydrates, including lactose found in dairy products and fructose-rich fruits such as apples, pears and grapes, have also been linked to increased gut activity and fluid retention.
‘Carbs are not entirely without blame. Evidence suggests that some carbs can not only increase the speed at which foods move through the gastrointestinal tract, they can also cause fluid retention and fermentation within the gut, making diarrhoea and gas more likely.’
Stress and anxiety may further worsen symptoms.
‘It’s possible that an attack of the nerves may be (in part) to blame for the runs.
‘Not only do stress and mood have associations with irritable bowel syndrome, it has also been suggested that psychological factors, such as anxiety, may be associated with runner’s diarrhoea.’
For athletes hoping to avoid similar issues, the expert said preparation is critical.
HYROX co-founder Moritz Fürste has apologised and vowed to overhaul the rules
He recommends eating familiar foods on race day, avoiding large amounts of fibre and fat before competition, and allowing two to three hours between breakfast and the start of an event.
‘Eat an energy-rich and familiar breakfast (one you know won’t bother your stomach) with the minimum of fibre, fat and protein.
‘It’s not good to choose the day of a big event to challenge your gut with unfamiliar foods.
‘One example might be a toasted bagel (or indeed plain white toast), or a low-fibre breakfast cereal that’s based on rice or corn rather than bran. Fruits lower in fructose include strawberries, raspberries and bananas.
‘Make sure not only to drink water, but replenish electrolytes as well, since both water and sodium are easily lost in sweat. Consuming water or sports drinks in small but regular bursts can help alleviate the problem of needing the toilet.’
Baumgardt also suggested keeping a record of nutrition, training and symptoms to identify potential triggers before major competitions.
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‘Everyone is different, and will respond to exercise and diet in different ways,’ he said.
‘Perhaps one of the best ways to recognise and prevent runner’s diarrhoea is to sit back, observe and listen to your own body. Yet another reason why preparation is so important.
‘Training for a marathon should take place over months, not days or weeks. This gives ample time to recognise gut symptoms, but also what might be triggering them.’
HYROX launched a ‘major clean-up operation’ following the Australians’ bowel accident, sanitising equipment and replacing sections of carpet.
Affected areas and race lanes were immediately closed and isolated before being thoroughly disinfected.
An unapologetic Wietrzyk posted an image while recovering in hospital, saying: ‘Go hard or go home they say … a win is a win.
‘In all seriousness, thank you for all the support. I’ll be back soon.’
The backlash prompted HYROX co-founder Moritz Fürste to issue a personal statement addressing the incident directly, admitting that ‘we learn and try to get better’.
He took responsibility and vowed to make immediate changes to ensure a similar incident does not happen again.
‘Of course, we have already started improving event processes and making changes to the rulebook. As of this moment, new rules and procedures are in place to prevent situations like this from happening again.
‘We learn and try to get better every day.’
The HYROX format sees competitors alternate between a 1km run and a functional workout station, repeated eight times.
The eight workout stations are 1,000m SkiErg (simulating Nordic skiing), 50m Sled Push, 50m Sled Pull, 80m Burpee Broad Jumps, 1,000m row, 200m Farmer’s Carry (walking while holding heavy kettlebells or weights), 100m Sandbag Lunges, 100 Wall Balls (squatting and throwing a medicine ball to a target).
