An American runner will become the second transgender non-binary person to compete at an Olympic Games.
Nikki Hiltz blitzed their final at the US athletic trials to ensure her spot on the team for Paris later this month.
Hiltz cruised ahead of Elle St Pierre and Emily Mackay in the final stretch of their 1500m race to cross the line first in 3:55:33.
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The 29-year-old identifies as transgender non-binary and uses the pronouns they/them.
Hiltz was born a biological female and so is permitted to compete professionally in women’s events.
The International Olympic Committee updated its guidelines around transgender athletes in 2021 and defers to the governing bodies of individual sports.
Nikki Hiltz celebrates crossing the finish line to win the women’s 1500 metre final at the Olympic trials. Getty
World Athletics does not permit transgender women who went through male puberty to compete in women’s events. Non-binary athletes are not specifically covered in the World Athletics code, but Hiltz is permitted to compete given they never went through male puberty.
At Tokyo 2020, Canadian football player Quinn became the first openly transgender non-binary athlete to compete at an Olympics.
“I’m not sure when this will fully sink in,” Hiltz wrote on social media after qualifying for Paris.
“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.”
“Elle St Pierre has elevated women’s distance running,” they said after the win.
“I saw the time, and I didn’t think that was possible… We all had to rise because of her.”
Hiltz said they are proud to represent the LGBTQ community at the Games.
“This is bigger than just me. It’s the last day of Pride Month … I wanted to run this one for my community,” they said.
“All the LGBT folks, yeah, you guys brought me home that last hundred [metres]. I could just feel the love and support.”