Hybrid Fitness Media obtained an email sent to Elite 15 athletes in response to continued discussion surrounding the chalk controversy with Joanna Wietrzyk at the HYROX Major in Hamburg.

HYROX has issued a detailed response confirming that after a second investigation, no rule breach could be proven beyond doubt.

In the message to athletes, HYROX Technical Director – Elite Racing, Mat Lock, confirmed that the race direction team conducted a full replay review, consulted legal counsel, and evaluated the case under Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) principles. The final determination: with gaps in the broadcast footage, there wasn’t sufficient evidence to overturn the original on-course ruling.

The letter emphasizes that the decision was made “through a legal lens,” shifting focus from the question of whether chalk was used to where it came from — personal or supplied. HYROX noted that “certainty must be absolute” when applying legal standards to sport governance.

While some athletes expressed frustration with the outcome, HYROX stated that the process was handled “thoroughly, objectively, and in compliance with best practice.”

Perhaps the most significant takeaway from the correspondence is a new structural reform: HYROX will create an independent Race Challenge Review Committee, modeled after competition juries used in other professional sports. The committee will include multiple disciplines and provide transparency and independence for future disputes.

Mat Lock wrote that the move is part of the brand’s push toward “Olympic-level standards” and broader professionalism within hybrid racing.

Though the decision leaves some ambiguity, HYROX’s letter outlines procedural changes aimed at clarifying how future disputes will be reviewed. The formation of an independent Race Challenge Review Committee represents a formal step toward codifying oversight within the sport, an acknowledgment that Elite-level rulings now carry implications beyond a single race.

We did reach out to Joanna Wietrzyk through her management, but they chose not to respond.

Below is the complete email sent to athletes.

Following the receipt of additional material submitted by you and other athletes, we initiated a second, detailed investigation. This included a full replay review by the Race Direction team, consultation with our sports legal counsel, and consideration of how similar matters are assessed under the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) framework.

As such, it is important to approach this matter through a legal lens, where certainty must be absolute. Accordingly, the legal focus moved from the question of “is it chalk?” to “where did the chalk come from – personal or supplied?”

Please refer to the below email copy for further details in this regard:

As you will read, in this case, with the available evidence and the identified broadcast gaps, it was not possible to establish beyond doubt that a rule breach occurred. Therefore, the field-of-play decision was upheld, consistent with CAS principles protecting such determinations.

We hope this provides clarity and helps to correct any suggestion that the process failed. On the contrary, we consulted multiple subject matter experts and external legal counsel to ensure that our decision-making was thorough, objective, and compliant with best practice for professional sport governance.

Looking forward, we are accelerating the planned next evolution of Elite racing by establishing an independent Race Challenge Review Committee — similar in structure to the Competition Jury model used by some professional sporting federations — to oversee future race challenges. This will add a further layer of transparency, independence, and consistency to the process, ensuring that all Elite race matters are reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel.

This planned evolution aligns with our broader ambition as we pursue our long-term Olympic-level standards.

Whilst not the outcome you sought — I hope your confidence is restored that we are taking all steps to ensure matters such as this are dealt with appropriately. Whilst under no obligation to provide a response to you (as you did not formally submit a challenge — I understand, you were required for doping testing), you are a cherished member of the elite community.

As always, I remain available to you and your fellow athletes.

Cheers,
Mat