Aggressive strategy fell just short

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, American Nikki Hiltz became the first out nonbinary athlete to compete in an Olympic individual final event. Their efforts nabbed a seventh-place finish in Saturday’s 1500-meter final at the Stade de France, finishing in 3:56.38. Going into the race, Hiltz was tied for six in betting odds at +2500.

Hiltz kept a blistering pace within striking distance of the leading runners, staying between sixth and eighth place. They hoped to maintain speed and then power into the lead during the final stages of the race. Better still, as the racers entered the final lap, it looked as though Hiltz’s strategy would pay off.

It was, put yourself in fourth through sixth and just hang on.”

Hiltz said: “I didn’t want to miss the move, you know, and it’s risky to play that game of like, I’m going to come through in 2:08 [for 800 meters]. Because you, you don’t know if you’ll have enough. That was never the plan. It was, put yourself in fourth through sixth and just hang on. So that’s what I did.”

The power move previously helped Hiltz dominate competitors in their races held in the US, but the strategy fell short at the Olympics. Hiltz reflected: “I tried to make a move with 500 to go and there [were] just so many bodies there. I can’t drop a single person here.”

They speculated that the move worked better in US races, but that a different strategy may be needed going forward, saying: “Maybe it’s worth going to Europe early in the season, and not racing domestically as much.”

Why Hiltz’s seventh-place finish still matters

Their seventh-place finish was no cause for disappointment, however. Hiltz is happy to have been in the race, as well as to have set a first for all nonbinary people by simply competing at the Olympics. Further, their seventh-place finish represents the best-ever Olympic result for an individual who identifies as transgender or nonbinary.

I have this very unique identity, and it’s a superpower.”

After the race, Hiltz spoke with Axios, saying they hope their presence at the Olympics inspires other trans and nonbinary people not just to compete, but to be their full selves in all aspects of their lives, saying: “There’s a ton of people trying to other them and exclude them from things. But I’m on the biggest stage in the world, and I grew up my whole life trans. I have this very unique identity, and it’s a superpower. I just want them to know that they’re loved and belong.”

Their desire to inspire other trans and nonbinary people stems in part from how much the queer community has inspired Hiltz. After Thursday’s semifinal, Hiltz said: “Before the gun goes off, I know that I am loved and supported, and that just allows me to run free. It doesn’t matter what the result is.”

Supporters back home inspired by Hiltz’s progress

On inspiring future trans and nonbinary runners, Hiltz said: “I know I’m the first, but I know I am not the last. I hope I can make it a little bit easier for the next nonbinary person.”

Indeed, back home in Santa Cruz, the results have inspired local runners, friends, and the Capitola Junior Lifeguard community to celebrate Hiltz and start running themselves.

MacKenzie Deeter, for example, says they’ve started running due to Hiltz. “Watching them come into their own, and come out as non-binary and be such a great example for, you know, kids and people of all ages to see someone who’s so successful in their career and just being authentic to themselves, is really exciting to see.”

Another supporter named Rebecca Supple said: “It was their first Olympics. And they had a really challenging semifinal to get there. So Nikki, you know, had to almost run their personal best to make it to the final. It’s been fun to see them progress from high school to college and professional and what an amazing career they’ve had.”