Australian Hyrox athlete Joanna Wietrzyk, who soiled herself during a race in Beijing, China, in September, has described the backlash during the weeks after the incident as ‘traumatic’.

Wietrzyk disclosed this to the BBC on Friday as she discussed her preparations to return to competition ahead of the sport’s Elite 15 division event in Hamburg, Germany.

The 24-year-old said she contracted a bacterial infection after food poisoning but felt “really, really good” before the race.

According to her, halfway through, she suffered diarrhoea and soiled herself but chose to carry on and won the women’s Pro event.

Wietrzyk said, “It wasn’t until about halfway through the race where everything did transpire. In that moment, right then and there, as a very competitive person and an elite athlete that I am, my only focus is on racing. Obviously, I did put other people at risk.

“It was my decision to continue racing, so I take full responsibility for that. I didn’t really think about those around me. The decision that I made in hindsight was the wrong decision, and I’m truly sorry for everyone that I did affect.”

Speaking about her return to competitions, Wietrzyk said she is nervous about returning to the sport, but she didn’t want the incident to become her identity.