A Hyrox test went viral after an athlete competed in diarrhea. The rules of competition eventually changed. Know some of the risks, dangers and diseases that can be transmitted by diarrhoea and contact with faeces.
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16/09/2026
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Joanna Wietrzyk competed with diarrhea during a Hyrox test. The Australian athlete he did all the tests to the end, but he ended up visibly with feces running down his legs and shoes. Some of the materials were also contaminated, although organization ensured that they were cleaned. The rules of proof were changed after this, but it is important to know the risks and diseases that can be transmitted through diarrhea.
When caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites, diarrhea may prove contagious. “Diarrhoea generally spreads through viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. These infectious diarrheal diseases are contagious and can be easily transmitted from person to person”, reveals the average Anju Goel to the Verywell Health website.
“ Diarrheal infections generally spread through the fecal-oral pathway, where infectious particles of fecal matter contaminate surfaces or people. High contact surfaces, such as handles and countertops, are common points of contamination.” They turn out to be points that don't matter much and where you may not be able to see the contaminated particles. We don't mean to say that the athlete had some kind of infection, but if there was something that could have ended up being easily transmitted.
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Gastroenteritis is one of the most common terms associated with infectious diarrhoea. “It refers to bacterial or viral infections affecting the stomach and intestines. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea” continues the doctor.
The specialist reveals some of the viruses may lead to diarrhea, which is the case with norovirus. “Infectious diarrhea caused by a virus is usually highly contagious.” On the other hand, the cause may also be bacterial. “Bacterial diarrhea is one of the leading causes of disease and death worldwide.” Here, salmonella is one of the most common.
“ It can cause diarrhoea, fever and abdominal cramps between 12 and 72 hours after consuming contaminated food or drink. Bacterial infections that cause diarrhea can spread rapidly among people, but it is more common for people to get sick after drinking water or eating contaminated food.”
On the other hand, there are situations where diarrhoea is not infectious. “The diarrhea caused by these conditions is not transmitted to other people” says doctor Anju Goel. This is the case with irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, drug reaction or lactose intolerance.
What changed Hyrox's rules after the incident?
After what happened to athlete Joanna Wietrzyk, Moritz Fürste, the founder of Hyrox, issued a statement in which he apologized for what happened. “Hyrox made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race. In the end, it is my responsibility to predict these possible incidents,” The Independent explained.
The situation has led to changes in the rules. “As of this moment, new rules and procedures are in place to prevent situations like this from happening again. We learn and seek to improve every day.”
Thus, our rules dictate that an athlete can be removed from the test by presenting blood, vomiting, urine or feces and when they endanger well-being and can lead to the risk of contamination to other athletes. Before this, people in evidence were only punished for spitting, blowing their noses or throwing garbage on the floor.