American trans and non-binary runner through to 1500m semis at Paris Olympics

The US runner has spoken out about transphobia and the gender storm that has surrounded athletes during the Paris Olympics.

Nikki Hiltz of Team United States competes during the Women's 1500m Round 1 on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 06, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

American runner Nikki Hiltz, who is non-binary, advanced to the semi-finals of the 1500m, finishing third in their heat.

Hiltz was born female and competes in the women’s category, but identifies as transgender and non-binary, and supports trans women and girls in sports.

“I would never want my identity to be weaponised against my community,” the 29-year-old said.

“I think trans women are women, and they deserve to compete wherever they’re comfortable.”

Nikki Hiltz of Team United States competes during the Women's 1500m Round 1 on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 06, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Controversy over transgender women competing at the Olympics exploded in the women’s boxing competition, where Algerian Imane Khelif – who was also born female, but failed a gender confirmation test at the world championships last year – is in the 66kg gold medal final.

Khelif burst into tears after winning her last bout after suffering torrents of online abuse.

“The past week’s been hard and there’s been a lot of hate and transphobia and just a lot of ignorance,” Hiltz said.

“I’ve had to, you know, put up some barriers and boundaries with social media and things like that. But I think I was gonna do that anyways.”

Algeria's Imane Khelif has faced a gender storm in Paris. Picture: Mohd Rasfan/AFP

After their heat, Hiltz cast a jubilant figure.

“It was all about patience. This is incredible,” they told NBC.

“I think I can officially call myself an Olympian now. It’s been a lot of patience this past month and then today in the race, that’s what I kept repeating to myself.

“Patient, be patient, be patient.”

Nikki Hiltz (left) said competing had brought them joy. Picture: Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Hiltz said they hope rules in certain sports, including track, that make it harder for transgender women to compete are changed.

“I don’t have all the answers on what that looks like, but I just know sports has provided me so much joy and life lessons along the way,” they said.

The semi-finals for the women’s 1500 meters is on Thursday.

– this story originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission.