Transgender and nonbinary runner Nikki Hiltz is headed to Paris after their record-breaking win at the Olympics Trials in Eugene, Ore., on Sunday.
Hiltz, who uses they/them pronouns, qualified for the U.S. Olympic team after winning the women’s 1,500-meter race with a final time of 3:55.33 at Hayward Field — which broke Elle St. Pierre’s U.S. trials record of 3:58.03, set in 2021.
The 29-year-old Hiltz explained the significance of winning this race for their community.
“I literally can’t believe it,” Hiltz said, referring qualifying for their first Olympics. “This is bigger than just me. It’s the last day of Pride Month. I wanted to run this one for my community. All the LGBT folks, yeah, you guys brought me home that last hundred [meters]. I could just feel the love and support.”
Hiltz — a seven-time All-American from San Diego, Calif. — celebrated at the finish line with their girlfriend, fellow track and field runner Emma Gee.
The couple was all smiles while hugging on the track.
Taking to Instagram, Gee, who was the first out LGBTQ student-athlete at Brigham Young University, shared photos of them after the race.
“So many years in the making…what an incredible journey & performance. You belong anywhere you decide to be,” Gee wrote.
Hiltz continued to celebrate on social media Monday.
“Woke up an Olympian,” they wrote on Instagram, including a collage of photos that featured the athlete celebrating the victory. “Yesterday afternoon in Eugene Oregon a childhood dream of mine came true. I’m not sure when this will fully sink in… 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.”
Prior to Sunday’s final, Hiltz was leading qualifiers through the semifinal rounds a time of 4:01.40.
Hiltz won the 1,500-meter race at the 2023 U.S. Championship last July, when they finished with a time of 4:03.10.
Hiltz came out about their sexuality at age 19, and at age 26, they came out about their gender identity.
