S. Olympic team with a record-breaking performance in the women's 1500-meter final at the Olympic trials on June 30. Hiltz, who identifies as transgender and nonbinary, emphasized the significance of this achievement as it coincided with the end of Pride Month.

Hiltz, 29, whose sex was assigned as female at birth, shattered the previous Olympic trials record with a breathtaking time of 3:55.33, leaving her competitors in awe. Elle St. Pierre, who had set the previous record of 3:58.03 at the 2021 U.S. track and field trials, finished third, securing a spot on Team USA alongside Hiltz and second-place finisher Emily Mackay.

"This is bigger than just me," Hiltz expressed to NBC. "It's the last day of Pride Month, and I wanted to run this one for my community. All the LGBTQ+ folks, you guys brought me home that last 100. I could just feel the love and support."

Hiltz's accomplishment highlights the ongoing conversation around gender and sports. As an athlete assigned female at birth, Hiltz does not face the same restrictions as transgender women who were assigned male at birth. The regulations that govern participation in women's divisions differ based on each sport's governing body. World Athletics, the governing body for track and field, implemented new rules in 2021 that prevent athletes who have transitioned from male to female after going through male puberty from competing in women's divisions. However, athletes assigned female at birth are generally allowed to participate in women's categories without hormone therapy.

In a poignant 2021 piece written for Runner's World, Hiltz shared how the sport has played a vital role in their journey of self-discovery and helped them express their authentic gender identity as non-binary. They explicitly stated their preference for they/them pronouns.

Hiltz's road to the Olympics has been paved with success. They earned a silver medal at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in March, solidifying their status as a frontrunner for a medal in the 1500-meter event. However, the favorite for the gold remains two-time Olympic champion, Faith Kipyegon, who will be defending her title.

Before their sensational Olympic trials run, Hiltz had already made waves in the track and field world by setting an American record in the women's mile with a staggering time of 4:16.23 in July 2023 at the Herculis Diamond League meet in Monaco.

The women's 1500-meter race at the Olympics will kick off on August 6 at 4:05 a.m. ET with the first round. The semifinal is scheduled for August 8 at 12:35 p.m., followed by the final on August 10 at 1:25 p.m. As the world watches, Hiltz will proudly represent the LGBTQ+ community and strive for victory, not just for themselves, but for equality and inclusivity in the realm of sports.