Johnathan Walker:Nikki Hiltz, US track Olympian, embraces 'superpower' of being queer and running 'free'

SAINT-DENIS,Johnathan Walker France — Nikki Hiltz has a superpower, they said: being queer. 

Hiltz – who identifies as transgender/non-binary and uses "they/them" pronouns – will be the first trans/non-binary person to participate in a track and field final at the Olympics on Saturday during the women’s 1,500-meter run.  

"I know I’m the first, but I’m definitely not the last," Hiltz said. "So I hope I can make it a little bit easier for the next non-binary person to come after me."

On Thursday, the last instructions Hiltz received from their coach, Mike Smith, was not to concentrate on making the finals. Instead, Smith told them, beat as many people as they could in their semifinal. Advancing to finals would take care of itself.

And that’s how it played out at Stade de France during the second semifinal of the 1,500. Hiltz finished third in their heat with a time of 3:56.17.

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The significance of what, and who, Hiltz represents wasn’t necessarily on their mind at the start line.

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"I feel like I have a superpower being queer out there. I really do," Hiltz said. "I feel like no matter what, before the gun goes off, that I am loved and supported. That just allows me to run free."

The results don’t matter. The love for their community does.

"I just want to give that love back and thank them and try to advocate and use my platform as much as possible – show that gratitude back," they said.

Hiltz publicly came out on March 31, 2021, Transgender Visibility Day, via an emotional Instagram post.

"Sometimes I wake up feeling like a powerful queen and other days I wake up feeling as if I’m just a guy being a dude, and other times I identify outside of the gender binary entirely," they wrote.

In accordance with Olympic guidelines, Hiltz does not receive any gender-affirming care, such as testosterone injections. They told Runner’s World last year that undergoing top surgery or taking testosterone is "a dream" of theirs. The constriction World Athletics places upon them has led Hiltz to sometimes "resent" the sport, they told Runners World.

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Hiltz is not the first person who identifies non-binary to compete at the Olympics. At the Tokyo Games three years ago, U.S. skateboarder Alana Smith and Canadian soccer star Quinn became the first openly nonbinary athletes to participate in the Olympics. 

A major storyline during the Paris Olympics has been the plight of two female boxers dealing with factually incorrect – and reprehensible – accusations they were born male. It’s a reflection of the anti-trans movement worldwide, which has picked up steam in the United States in recent years.

"Respect people’s pronouns and if someone has a different lived experience than you," Hiltz wrote on social media while sharing a link to a Washington Post profile about them. "Try educating yourself instead of hating on them."

Politicians at the local, state and federal levels have made what is basically a non-issue a priority. There have been 638 bills introduced in 43 states, according to the Trans Legislation Tracker, an independent research organization that tracks bills introduced at the state and federal level that affects trans and gender-diverse people. In total, 45 have passed, while 75 were introduced by members of Congress.

"It’s a weird and crazy time politically, and yeah, I think you see that play out in sports," Hiltz said. "But I think sports is such a good example that just sets the tone for the rest of the world: ‘Hey, queer people can be here and they can exist. And they’re loved and supported.’ It means a lot, always.” 

Hiltz took the advice of U.S. men’s 400-meter hurdles runner Rai Benjamin to point and wave at every USA flag they saw, and to watch the reaction of the fans. Team USA jumper Tara Davis Woodhall is one of their close friends and they planned a special handshake before they both competed; Davis Woodhall won gold in the long jump.

"She inspires me so much," Hiltz said of Davis Woodhall. 

Smith had Hiltz run 800-meter races to prepare for the faster paces of the 1,500. They primarily train in Flagstaff, Arizona, a hotspot for distance runners. 

"I was surprised how good I felt," Hiltz said following their run. 

Snoop Dogg, Simone Biles and Mikaela Shiffrin were in the crowd. More importantly to Hiltz, their parents, sister, best friend and partner, Emma, were as well.

"I just feel the love," they said.

For the past three years, Hiltz has hosted a charity run called "Pride 5K" that has donated more than $172,000 to The Trevor Project, per the organization’s website. The upcoming 2024 run’s proceeds will go to Point of Pride, a non-profit that provides financial aid for those seeking gender-affirming care. 

"They really stand up for their community," said Elle St. Pierre, Hiltz’s fellow 1,500-meter finalist from the U.S. "That’s an inspiration in itself."