"It's hard" - Nikki Hiltz makes her feelings known on being a trans athlete and hostile atmosphere around them

American middle-distance runner Nikki Hiltz recently expressed their feelings on being a trans athlete, and the present atmosphere surrounding such sportspersons. Hiltz had organized a Q&A session with their followers on Instagram.

Born as a female athlete, Nikki Hiltz declared her identity as a non-binary athlete in 2021. The middle-distance runner has represented the USA in women's 1500m at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2025 Tokyo World Championships, respectively.

During the Q&A session, a user asked Hiltz how they took care of themselves in the current environment, which is apparently hostile towards trans athletes. The middle-distance runner simply replied,

"It's hard, but mainly focusing on the things that are in my control. Practicing mindfulness, drinking water, FaceTiming family and friends, making the bed, running, holding hands with Emma. Also petting my dog a lot."

Screengrab of Nikki Hiltz's Instagram story [Image Source : Nikki Hiltz's Instagram]

Nikki Hiltz also assured the fans that they will be back in action soon. When asked about their next event, Hiltz referred to the Millrose Games, which will be held in early February next year.

Nikki Hiltz was last seen in action at the ATHLOS meet held in New York this year. The American middle-distance runner ended the season on a hopeful note by finishing third in the women's mile event.

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Nikki Hiltz lashes out at IOC for attempting to ban trans athletes from women's sports

Nikki Hiltz at the World Athletics Championships 2025 [Image Source : Getty]

Nikki Hiltz previously expressed her thoughts on the current ruling of the IOC [International Olympic Committee], which might eventually ban trans athletes from competing in women's sports in the future. The middle-distance runner called out the IOC for allegedly promoting misogyny, as they remarked in one of their Instagram stories,

"Policing trans people and stripping them of their rights has never just been about trans people. It's rooted in misogyny and controlling women and femininity. This is a direct example of how transphobia will effect cis women. 'Cis Females with Male levels of Testosterone' hello?"

The middle-distance further questioned the parameters as they added,

"What are male levels of testosterone? How are they going to determine what's too high of levels? Who will be targeted? At what point is a cis woman athlete too tall or too strong to compete? And also, why shouldn't cis women with naturally elevated levels of testosterone not be able to compete in the Olympics? Are cis men with naturally elevated levels of testosterone going to be able to compete?"

Nikki Hiltz made their Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The middle-distance runner participated in the women's 1500m, where they finished seventh in the finals.