Team USA middle-distance runner Nikki Hiltz talks about her journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics and her LGBTQ+ advocacy work after coming out as transgender and non-binary.
Hiltz came out as non-binary transgender just before the 2021 Olympic Trials. The couple had hoped to retire from the sport in 2021, hoping a burden would be lifted. But it was the opposite. Hiltz said she wasn’t trying to advocate for LGBTQ rights, but coming out as trans non-binary has forced her back into the spotlight.
Having qualified for the Olympics on Sunday, Hiltz is now fully focused on his next goal.
ABC News spoke with Hiltz about her Olympic qualification and the recent media attention she’s received.
ABC News: While middle-distance runner Nikki Hiltz is competing in the Olympics in Paris this summer, she’s also competing in endurance races on another front. An upcoming documentary about Nikki explains why.
[Documentary clip shows Hiltz discussing coming out as transgender-nonbinary right before the 2021 Olympic Trials.]
ABC News: Nikki, thanks for joining us today. You said after the race you thought you were saying goodbye to your Olympic dreams. Then on Sunday you qualified for the Olympics in the 1500 meters and took the lead in the final 60 meters to the finish line, running the second-fastest time ever by an American runner. Tell us how that felt. Tell us about your journey so far.
Nikki Hiltz: Yeah. Exactly. It’s been a long journey for sure. After the last Olympic Trials in 2021, like you said, I thought about leaving the sport altogether. And I changed a lot of things in my life and showed perseverance. And yeah, all the hard work paid off. Yeah, that feeling when I crossed the finish line was just joy.
ABC News: You’ve said that you never really set out to be an advocate for LGBTQ rights, but rather felt forced into the spotlight after coming out as transgender nonbinary. Why is that visibility so important to you?
Hiltz: Yeah. I mean, I’m so grateful for all the queer and trans people that came before me, and now I want to be that for the next generation. And it’s definitely hard to be invisible, so I think representation and visibility was really helpful for me growing up. So if just one kid watching the Olympics sees themselves in me, then it’ll be worth it.
ABC News: Representation is certainly important, so if you could imagine a perfect future where your sport or professional sports was broadly inclusive of athletes of all gender identities, what changes would you see needed?
Hiltz: Yeah. It’s just an ongoing conversation. For me, more inclusive language has really helped, whether it’s announcers and broadcasters using my correct pronouns or calling the athletes in my event, “These are the 1500 meter runners” instead of, “These are the 1500 meter runners.”
I think we can all make those small changes, making spaces and sports safer for everyone and allowing everyone to be themselves, because when we can be ourselves, our dreams can come true.
ABC News: Absolutely. So what do you say to people who say it’s unfair for transgender women to participate in girls’ sports, and vice versa? What’s your message to them?
Hiltz: I encourage people to educate themselves. The guidelines that are in place right now are that transgender women can’t compete unless they’ve been on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for at least a year. And I think that’s a fair guideline. And yes, I think there’s a lot of ignorance right now. I’m someone who’s competed in women’s sports throughout my career, and while there are a lot of issues there, transgender women are not one of them, and I don’t think we need to be protected from them.
ABC News: You’ve worked hard to qualify for the Paris Olympics. It’s just around the corner. How are you feeling heading into the Olympics and what are you most looking forward to?
Hiltz: Well, I’m just focused on my next goal. I’m really looking forward to the Opening Ceremony. I tried on some Ralph Lauren clothes a few days ago and I’m really excited just to be in Paris and meet the other members of the U.S. team from all the different sports.
ABC News: It’s been an amazing experience. We’re excited to see you compete and hope to see you again soon. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, and we wish you the best of luck in Paris.
HILTS: Thank you so much. Thank you so much for having me.
