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Hyrox China revises rules, can DNF for contamination risks

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 10:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Joanna Wietrzyk Wins Forfeits

Joanna Wietrzyk kept racing after bowel incontinence and won the Hyrox China competition.
She posted an Instagram apology, forfeited her 110 points, and announced a retroactive withdrawal.
Hyrox revised its rulebook to let race directors withdraw athletes for blood, vomit, urine or feces risks, recording a DNF.
PUMA quietly removed the “Joanna Wietrzyk x PUMA” collection from its online store without comment.

Summary

Hyrox Enforces Safety

Hyrox China isolated contaminated zones and disinfected the track after the Beijing incident.
Hyrox removed and replaced all shared equipment and carpets for the next day.
Hyrox refunded those who started before 2:40 pm and did not finish, and later heat batches.
Puma said its partnership with Wietrzyk remains unchanged despite removal of her collection.
Hyrox’s rulebook now allows race directors to DNF athletes for blood, vomit, urine or feces risks.

History

Historical Context

In 2009, the Chicago Marathon disqualified 12 runners who experienced severe gastrointestinal distress, prompting the event to overhaul health-safety protocols. Chicago’s organizing committee, partnered with USA Track & Field, allocated $1.5 million to upgrade on-site medical stations and install 200 additional sanitation units. Similarly, Hyrox China’s 2024 Beijing race invoked its revised rulebook—mirroring Chicago’s policy—to DNF athletes like Joanna Wietrzyk for fecal contamination risks. The precedent underscores how major endurance events now prioritize participant health, compelling sponsors such as Puma to reassess product collaborations amid heightened safety scrutiny.

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Joanna Wietrzyk Wins Forfeits

Joanna Wietrzyk kept racing after bowel incontinence and won the Hyrox China competition.
She posted an Instagram apology, forfeited her 110 points, and announced a retroactive withdrawal.
Hyrox revised its rulebook to let race directors withdraw athletes for blood, vomit, urine or feces risks, recording a DNF.
PUMA quietly removed the “Joanna Wietrzyk x PUMA” collection from its online store without comment.

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