Nikki Hiltz, transgender runner, qualifies for U.S. Olympic team after winning 1,500-meter final
The heat will be on at the 2024 Summer Olympics – and for athletes, it could be dangerous
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American transgender middle-distance runner Nikki Hiltz qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games on Sunday with a record-breaking performance in the women’s 1,500-meter final.
Hiltz finished the race in first place with a final time of 3:55.33 at the U.S. Olympic track & field trials, held at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field, surpassing Elle St. Pierre’s 2021 U.S. trials record of 3:58:03.
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
In an Instagram post, Hiltz, who uses they/them pronouns, called the moment “a childhood dream of mine” that came true. They went on to thank supporters, saying, “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.”
NBC Sports, Hiltz said the accomplishment is “bigger than just me.”
“I wanted to run this for my community,” Hiltz continued, “All of the LGBT folks, yeah, you guys brought me home that last hundred. I could just feel the love and support.”
The 2024 Olympic Games will begin on July 26, 2024, in Paris, France.
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Source: cbsnews.com