"This is bigger than just me" - Nikki Hiltz reacts to a fan being happily accepted as 'non-binary' because of their Paris Olympics campaign

2019 Pan American Games gold medalist, Nikki Hiltz, recently reacted to a fan's claiming that they were happiy accepted as non-binary by their parents. This comes after the fan credited Hiltz's popularity for their acceptance by their parents.

Hiltz, who announced came out as non-binary in 2021, has been a well-known name in the track and field discipline and has competed in various global tournaments such as World Championships and Olympic Games.

In a recent tweet, a fan opened up about how the popularity of Hiltz as a non-binary athlete had had an immense impact on the entire community. They also claimed that their mother had watched Hiltz compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Replying to this, Nikki Hiltz thanked the fan for sharing their story and also congratulated their family. They also thanked the track and field community for normalizing their gender identity. Hiltz wrote:

"This is SO beautiful. thank you so much for sharing and congratulations! Sending both you and your mom a big warm hug. Thank you track and field community for accepting and normalizing my gender identity. I’ve always said this is bigger than just me.'

Hiltz has been an active advocate for the betterment of the LGBTQ community and has also played an important role in raising funds for the community through the Pride 5k race.

Nikki Hiltz failed to clinch a podium finish at the Paris Olympics 2024

Nikki Hiltz at the 2024 Olympics in Paris (Image via Getty Images0

Competing in the first Olympics of their career, Nikki Hiltz finished seventh in the Women's 1500m event finals. They ran a time of 3:56.38 in the finals, failing to win any medals in the event.

Hiltz qualified for the finals of the event after third-placed finishes in both the heats and semifinals with times of 4:00.42 and 3:56.17 respectively. However, they couldn't run faster in the finals, finishing seventh in a field of 12.

The Women's 1500m event finals saw Kenya's Faith Kipyegon clinch the gold medal and set a new Olympic record after clocking a time of 3:51.29. Australia's Jessica Hull and Great Britain's Georgia Bell finished second and third in 3:52.56 and 3:52.61 respectively.

Even though Nikki Hiltz failed to clinch a medal in the 2024 Olympics, their performance was among the best by a non-binary or transgender athlete in the history of the quadrennial event.