Belgian finishes second at Hyrox World Championships, discusses athlete incontinence

Louis Osselaer from Ghent, Belgium, achieved a remarkable second-place finish at the Hyrox World Championships held in Stockholm, Sweden. He narrowly missed the top spot, trailing American winner Dylan Scott by a mere 15 seconds in the demanding fitness race that combines running with strength exercises.

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It is something that is not talked about much, but it happens often among athletes. That is why I find it important to come out with it, because I notice that many people experience the same problem.

Osselaer's performance gained attention not only for its athletic achievement but also for his decision to wear a diaper during the competition. He openly discussed this choice, stating that while it's not widely spoken about, it's a common practice among athletes. Osselaer aims to make the issue more approachable, sharing his own experience of losing bowel control during a prior race. He explained that despite resolving the issue, he opted for the diaper at the world championship for mental security, wanting to maintain consistency with his recent races.

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I had bowel loss during a competition in December. That little problem has since been resolved, and the confidence to exercise without a diaper again is back.

Sports physician Tom Teulingkx corroborated Osselaer's experience, noting that Hyrox's demanding nature makes it particularly conducive to incontinence. The sport's blend of heavy lifting, which increases abdominal pressure, and intense running, which can affect the intestines, places considerable stress on the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are crucial for controlling bladder and bowel function, and their strain can lead to involuntary loss of urine or feces. Teulingkx added that Hyrox's timed nature means any trip to the restroom results in lost time, further incentivizing athletes to manage such issues discreetly.

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It indeed happens more often than you think. In Hyrox, perhaps more so, because it is also a timed sport. If you have to go to the toilet, you also lose time and thus achieve a 'worse' performance.