Who is Nikki Hiltz? Everything about the American runner competing at the Paris Olympics 2024

By Soumik Bhattacharya

Modified Aug 08, 2024 14:41 GMT

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Nikki Hiltz is an American non-binary middle-distance runner who competes in the women's division's 800m, 1500m, and mile events. They recently qualified for the Women's 1500m semifinals at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Running in the event's second heat, Hiltz finished in the third position with a run time of 4:00.42 to secure their place in the first Olympic semifinals. The event is scheduled to be held on Thursday (semifinals 2).

Hiltz has been in good form this season and also secured a top-podium finish in the 1500m event during the US Olympic Track and Field Trials to book their place in the Paris Olympics. It was a solid turnaround from the California native compared to their performance at the trials for the Tokyo Olympics, where she failed to earn a qualification in the quadrennial event.

Let's know more about the 29-year-old American middle-distance runner in this note.

Nikki Hiltz: Family details and hometown

Hiltz at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow (Image via: Getty)

Nikki Hiltz was born in Santa Cruz, California, on October 23, 1994, to Tom Hiltz and Liz Hiltz. They also have a sister named Michaela Hiltz.

Nikki Hiltz: High School and other educational details

Hiltz at the 2024 Olympic games in Paris (Image via: Getty)

Hiltz completed their high school education at Aptos Middle School in California, during which they competed in numerous state-level track and field tournaments. Following the completion of their high school, Hiltz was admitted to the University of Oregon in 2014.

They later moved to the University of Arkansas in 2016, where they ran for the university track and field team, the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Nikki Hiltz: Other achievements of the track and field athlete

Nikki Hiltz at the World Indoor Championships (Image via: Getty)

At Aptos Middle School, Hiltz won 6 California Interscholastic Central Section championships. Competing for the Razorbacks, Hiltz won two NCAA medals in the 1500m (silver) and mile (bronze) events at the 2018 NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships. Besides, Hiltz has also been a part of the NCAA Division I All-American team six times in their career.

In their senior elite career, Hiltz has clinched two indoor national titles (2023 and 2024 USA Indoor Championships) in the 1500m event and one outdoor national title in the mile event (2023 USA Outdoor Championships).

In the 2019 Pan American Games, Hiltz clinched a gold medal in the Women's 1500m event with a run time of 4:07.14. Competing for the United States, they also won the silver medal in the 1500m run at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow.