Nikki Hiltz’s LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame election shows support for trans athletes

The LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame class of 2026 was an inspired group of luminaries, from Maybelle Blair’s effervescent advocacy for women’s baseball to Rick Welts’ multi-decade run of basketball brilliance.

But the name that stood out most prominently to me among the new class was Nikki Hiltz. 

Even as a 31 year old Olympic runner who still has a lot of their career ahead of them, their election as a Hall of Famer still felt like it came at the exact right time.

During a moment when the transgender community as a whole and transgender athletes in particular are enduring endless attacks from the powers that be in this country, Hiltz’s election was an affirmation that the LGBTQ HOF is going to be on the right side of history.

“Our statement is: sports—whether you’re participating, coaching, being in the front office—is for everyone,” said Hall of Fame Chair Scott Bova when asked about Hiltz’s inclusion among the new electees.

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That declaration of support inspired by one of the most prominent transgender and nonbinary athletes in the world comes at a time of crisis for trans athletes throughout the country. 

From the Oval Office’s odious executive order banning trans athletes from women’s sports to Governor Gavin Newsom’s spineless capitulation on his podcast, there aren’t many places where the trans community can turn to find support on this issue.

While no one has contested Hiltz’s right to compete on the track, their election still sends the message that the LGBTQ Sports HOF is an institution that will be an unequivocal transgender ally.

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The 2026 class of the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame includes out athletes, coaches, officials and members of the sports media.

Nikki Hiltz is trans, nonbinary, a fierce advocate and running for Olympic gold in Paris
The American trans, nonbinary middle-distance ace has made an impact far beyond this week in Paris.

Electing Hiltz to the Hall at such a comparatively young age emphasizes that the LGBTQ Sports HOF isn’t going to wait to honor prominent trans athletes as a vital part of the sports world.

As Bova put it, “That is our commitment: regardless of how you identify, regardless of what part of the LGBTQ+ [community] you belong to, sports is for everybody.”

Furthermore, throughout their career, Hiltz has made vocal transgender advocacy a priority. From speaking out against anti-trans legislation after standing atop a winner’s podium to publicly sharing their joy following top surgery, they’ve used their platform over and over to ensure that their community is represented and its voice is being heard loud and clear.

Because these moments are so intrinsically tied into who Hiltz is as a public figure, the LGBTQ Sports HOF’s honor has validated their activism along with their achievements on the track. 

During a time when many prominent people and institutions are afraid of angering the current administration, Hiltz has continued to be one of the most important voices standing up for the trans athlete community. With this election, the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame is throwing its support behind their voice.

That’s how an organization stands behind its statement that sports truly are for everybody.

With so much of their life in front of them, Hiltz will have plenty of opportunities to keep showing up for transgender athletes as a runner and as an advocate. Every time they do, the Hall’s decision to honor them and support trans inclusion in the sports world will look even more of a winner.

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