A female athlete who identifies as transgender with nonbinary pronouns has qualified for the U.S. Olympic team.
Nikki Hiltz announced on Instagram: “Woke up an Olympian.”
“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,” Hiltz wrote.
Hiltz qualified for the Paris Olympics after winning the women’s 1,500-meter race.
The athlete claimed a transgender nonbinary identity in 2021.
“When I was 19 I came out about my sexuality. Yesterday at 26 I came out about my gender identity,” Hiltz wrote on X. “There’s nothing like the morning after coming out. This morning there are nerves, excitement and a heart full of gratitude. All I can say is thank you, it feels so good to be seen.”
Women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines condemned Hiltz’s qualification.
“A female who identifies as trans earned a spot on the U.S. women’s Olympic team,” Gaines declared. “I wonder why she didn’t try out for the men’s team. It’s almost as if she understands she would never be able to compete or succeed at same level against the men.”
“Telling,” she added.
