Non-binary athlete Nikki Hiltz reacts to signing up for Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track League

Nikki Hiltz expressed excitement over signing as a 'Racer' in the Grand Slam Track, a revolutionary league introduced by the four-time Olympic gold medalist and track pundit, Michael Johnson. Hiltz competed at the 2024 Paris Games but finished seventh in the 1500m finals.

They marked a strong start in 2024, earning the 1500m title at the US Indoor Championship and silver podium in the same at the 2024 World Indoors. They qualified for the Paris Olympics as the American top seed in 1500m but finished only seventh in her debut Games finals in 3:56.38.

Following the Olympics, Hiltz signed as 'Racer' of the star-studded Grand Slam Track, joining the likes of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Cole Hocker, Kenny Bednarek, Yared Nuguse, and Fred Kerley, among others. In her latest Instagram story, she expressed delight over the recent announcement and wrote.

"easiest decision of my life. So stoked to be part of @grandslamtrack!"

Nikki Hiltz reacting after signing as a Racer in Grand Slam Track; Instagram - @nikkihiltz

Nikki Hiltz earned popularity as the 6-time NCAA Division I All-American at the collegiate level. They also collected a couple of elite-level achievements until coming out as a transgender and non-binary person on March 31, 2024. Their announcement garnered backlash and gender identity-related criticisms from people and affected their run at the 2021 US Olympic trials.

Hiltz finished 13th in the 1500m and failed to qualify for the 800m at the trials, thus missing out on the Tokyo Olympic appearance.

"I stood on the start line of the Olympic Trials 1500 final and said to myself, ‘maybe it's just easier for everyone if I don't make this Olympic Team," she later noted on her Instagram handle. (via Olympics.com)

Hiltz became the first openly nonbinary runner to lift the National title.

Nikki Hiltz will be honored at the 2024 Athlete Ally Action Awards on October 17, 2024

Nikki Hiltz celebrates coming second in the Women 1500m Final at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships - Source: Getty

Athlete Ally, the non-profit organizing rallying to bring inclusivity in sports and promote LGBTQIA+ equality, welcomed Nikki Hiltz as one of the pioneers of changing the athletic community for the better. On October 17, they will be honored at the Athlete Ally Action Awards in the heart of New York City.

The founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally, Hudson Taylor, hailed Hiltz for championing inclusion on track and field.

"The global athletic community changes for the better when pioneers like Nikki Hiltz pave the way forward by being proudly and authentically who they are. Nikki is a true champion for inclusion on and off the track, and we’re thrilled to honor them at the Action Awards," he wrote. (via Athlete Ally)

Hiltz also shared their goal of building a world where transgender people would be welcomed without much hindrance. The 29-year-old launched Pride 5K, an event that focuses on collecting money to support LGBTQIA+ nonprofits.