Transgender Non-Binary Runner Nikki Hiltz Qualifies for US Olympic Team in Historic 1,500-Meter Win
Nikki Hiltz, a transgender non-binary athlete, qualifies for the US Olympic team after winning the Women’s 1,500-meter race at trials, breaking records and celebrating with the LGBTQ+ community.
United States, Bollywood Fever: Nikki Hiltz, a transgender non-binary runner, has qualified for the US Olympic team after a stellar performance in the Women’s 1,500-meter race at the trials over the weekend. Hiltz, a biological female who identifies as transgender non-binary, set a meet record with a time of 3 minutes and 55.53 seconds, breaking the previous record set by Elle St. Pierre in 2021.
Hiltz’s achievement follows their victory in the 1,500-meter race at the 2023 US Championships, hinting at their potential Olympic success. Hiltz’s partner, Emma Gee, is also a pioneering athlete, known as the first out LGBTQ+ competitor for Brigham Young University. The couple, based in Flagstaff, Arizona, is often seen running the area’s trails and is celebrated as a “power couple” in the sport by Track Town USA.
USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe shared Hiltz’s accomplishment on her Instagram, though Rapinoe recently faced backlash for her silence when questioned about her stance on trans athletes competing in women’s sports.
Hiltz celebrated their Olympic qualification, which coincided with the last day of Pride Month, emphasizing the support from the LGBTQ+ community. “I told myself, I’m not going to think about all the love and support until 100 meters to go,” Hiltz shared with Runner’s World. “And then, at that moment, you can let it all fill you up and push you to the finish line.”
In an emotional statement to NBC Sports, Hiltz said, “I literally can’t believe it. I mean, this is bigger than me. It’s the last day of Pride month. I wanted to run this one for my community, and yeah, all the LGBTQ folks. You guys brought me home that last hundred meters. I could just feel the love and support.”
Hiltz, who competed at the collegiate level for Oregon and Arkansas, earned All-American honors in 2018. They also won a silver medal at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow and a gold medal at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
Reflecting on their achievement, Hiltz expressed their joy, saying, “Woke up an Olympian,” as they continued to celebrate their historic qualification.
Hiltz’s journey to the Olympics not only highlights their athletic prowess but also marks a significant moment for the visibility and inclusion of transgender non-binary athletes in sports.
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