Nikki Hiltz, an American transgender middle-distance runner, has qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris after posting a record-breaking performance in the women’s 1,500-meter final.
Hiltz, 29, who goes by they/them pronouns, finished the race in first place with a final time of 3:55.33 at the US Olympic track & field trials.
The record-breaking race at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field surpassed the previous record of 3:58:03 set by Elle St. Pierre in 2021 at the US trials.
Hiltz posted on Instagram about qualifying for the games, sharing that it’s been “a childhood dream” to compete in the Olympics.
“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,” Hiltz said.
At the Indoor World Championships earlier this year, Hiltz won a silver medal. This will be their first trip to the Olympics.
After their race on Sunday, Hiltz shared with NBC Sports that making the Olympic team was “bigger than just me.”
“I wanted to run this for my community,” Hiltz said. “All of the LGBT folks, yeah, you guys brought me home that last hundred. I could just feel the love and support.”
The games are set to kick off in Paris, France, on July 26.