Dubai: HYROX world champion Joanna Wietrzyk will return to competition in Hamburg, Germany, on Friday, October 30, after a human-waste contamination incident during a race in Beijing sparked widespread backlash and forced the fitness competition to change its rules.

The 22-year-old Australian announced her comeback in an Instagram video on Wednesday, apologising again for continuing to race after suffering a medical episode during the September 12 event.

“I’m truly, truly so sorry to everyone that I affected, whether they were spectators or participants out on that race floor, for my decision to choose to continue to race,” Wietrzyk said.

She added that the six to eight weeks since the incident had given her time to reflect and learn from the experience. She also thanked those who supported her and said she was excited to return to the sport she loves.

Wietrzyk won the women’s race in Beijing but faced criticism after continuing the shared course and using equipment despite the contamination risk.…