Nikki Hiltz Made History as the First Transgender Runner Heading to the Paris Olympics

Hiltz, who identifies as transgender anNikki Hiltz, a transgender and nonbinary middle-distance runner, has achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Running the women’s 1500-meter race at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Hiltz set a new trials record with a time of 3:55:33, making them the second-fastest American ever in this event.

d nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, made an impressive sprint in the final stretch of the race, overtaking competitors Elle St. Pierre and Emily Mackay. This monumental race marks Hiltz’s debut in the Olympics and stands as a significant achievement for both their career and the LGBTQ+ community.

In a post-race interview with NBC Sports, Hiltz, 29, highlighted the broader significance of their victory. “This is bigger than just me. It’s the last day of Pride Month… I wanted to run this one for my community,” Hiltz stated. “All the LGBT folks, yeah, you guys brought me home that last hundred meters. I could just feel the love and support.”

Hiltz attributed part of their success to Elle St. Pierre, who finished third and was the top American finisher in the Tokyo Olympics women’s 1500-meter race. St. Pierre led for most of the race, completing the first lap in 61 seconds, which set a challenging pace for the other runners. “Elle St. Pierre has elevated women’s distance running. I saw the time, and I didn’t think that was possible,” Hiltz remarked. “We all had to rise because of her. … Awesome team we’re sending to Paris.”

Alongside Hiltz, both St. Pierre and Emily Mackay, who finished second, qualified for the Paris Olympics. This team showcases a strong lineup for the upcoming games, with all three athletes achieving new personal bests during the trials. Following their qualification, Hiltz shared their elation on social media, expressing how a childhood dream had come true. “I’m not sure when this will fully sink in,” they wrote. “All I know is today I’m waking up just so grateful for my people, overwhelmed by all the love and support, and filled with joy that I get to race people I deeply love and respect around a track for a living.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) updated its guidelines on transgender athletes in 2021, allowing individual sports governing bodies to establish their policies. World Athletics, which oversees international track and field, adopted a policy last year that bars all trans women athletes who underwent male puberty from competing in female categories. However, trans men can compete in male categories if they provide satisfactory declarations of their gender identities.

Although World Athletics’ policy does not explicitly address nonbinary athletes, those assigned females at birth are typically allowed to compete in female categories if they have not received hormone therapy. This nuanced policy framework highlights the evolving landscape of gender inclusivity in sports.

Hiltz is not the first nonbinary athlete to compete in the Olympics. Canadian soccer player Quinn made history as the first openly transgender and nonbinary athlete to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Quinn also became the first transgender athlete to win an Olympic medal when Canada triumphed over Sweden in a penalty shootout.

According to OutSports, at least 186 LGBTQ athletes competed in the Tokyo Games, reflecting a growing presence and acceptance of diverse gender identities in sports. For the Paris Olympics, Hiltz joins other LGBTQ+ athletes, including Timo Cavelius of Germany, who will be the first openly gay man to compete in Olympic judo.

Hiltz’s qualification for the Paris Olympics is more than a personal achievement; it symbolizes a beacon of hope and progress for transgender and nonbinary representation in sports. Their success serves as an inspiration to many, showcasing that dedication, talent, and authenticity can pave the way for groundbreaking accomplishments.

As the world gears up for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Nikki Hiltz’s story stands out as a testament to resilience, inclusivity, and the relentless pursuit of dreams. Their journey to the Olympics not only marks a significant personal milestone but also represents a broader movement towards greater acceptance and visibility for transgender and nonbinary athletes on the global stage. The upcoming games promise to be historic, with Hiltz and their teammates poised to make their mark in Paris.

This story was originally featured on NBC News