Nikki Hiltz, a nonbinary transgender runner, qualified for the U.S. Olympic team after winning the women’s 1,500-meter trail race over the weekend.
Hiltz, a biological woman who identifies as nonbinary transgender, set the competition record with her run of 3 minutes and 55.53 seconds. In doing so, Hiltz broke the record set by Elle St. Pierre in 2021.
They also won the 1,500-meter race at the 2023 U.S. Championships, previewing their participation in the Olympic Games.
Hiltz’s partner is another groundbreaking athlete, Emma Gee, who was the first LGBTQ+ athlete to compete for Brigham Young University.
Like many distance runners, they both live in Flagstaff, Arizona, where they are frequently seen running the area’s many trails. Track Town USA has referred to Gee and Hiltz as one of the sport’s “power couples.”
Nikki Hiltz, who identifies as nonbinary transgender, qualified for the U.S. Olympic team.
Megan Rapinoe shared the feat amid backlash over her stance on trans athletes
Emma Gee and Nikki Hiltz react after Hiltz won the women’s 1500m final at the U.S. trials.
The feat was shared by USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe on her Instagram.
However, Rapinoe’s celebration came after she was silenced by a reporter when asked about her stance on trans athletes competing in women’s sports.
During Pride Month celebrations in Seattle, the retired midfielder was approached by Post Millennial reporter Katie Daviscourt.
“Your U.S. women’s soccer team famously lost to high school boys…do you really think it’s fair for those same boys to compete in women’s sports?” Daviscourt asked.
Midway through the question, Rapinoe is seen laughing at the reporter, before turning to her fiancée, Sue Bird, and muttering under her breath: “Oh, my God.”
Despite being blocked, Daviscourt continues: “Do you think it’s fair? Why do trans people have to compete against young girls? Do you think they’re going to get hurt?”
Rapinoe, who has been a vocal defender of trans athletes, has faced criticism for her silence when asked about her stance.
Hiltz and Gee (right) are based in Flagstaff, Arizona and are both elite distance runners.
Gee (left) and Hiltz are seen together after the former broke the five-minute mile barrier for the first time.
Hiltz set the competition record with his run of 3 minutes, 55.53 seconds at the Olympic trials.
Hiltz also won the 1,500-meter race at the 2023 U.S. Championships before qualifying for Paris.
Hiltz’s situation, however, is different, as from a physical point of view they have maintained their biological gender. Nevertheless, the runner celebrated her Olympic qualification, which occurred on the last day of Pride Month.
“I told myself I wasn’t going to think about all the love and support I received until I was 100 meters from the finish,” Hiltz told Runner’s World. “And then, in that moment, you can let it all fill you up and propel you to the finish line. That’s exactly what I did and I think that’s what brought it home for me.”
“I literally can’t believe it. I mean, this is bigger than me,” Hiltz told NBC Sports. “It’s the last day of Pride month. I wanted to run this race for my community and, yes, for all LGBTQ people. You guys brought that last hundred (meters) home for me. I could feel the love and support.”
Hiltz competed collegiately at Oregon and Arkansas in the mid-2000s and earned All-American honors in 2018. She also won a silver medal at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, and gold at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
“I woke up like an Olympian,” Hiltz said Monday as celebrations continued.
