US Olympic runner Nikki Hiltz, who identifies as transgender, reacts to Supreme Court ruling
Nikki Hiltz, an American Olympic runner who identifies as transgender, responded to the Supreme Court's ruling on transgender athletes on Saturday.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of West Virginia and Idaho on Tuesday against trans athletes who sued to gain access to girls' sports. The states were supported by the law firm Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), while the trans activists were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Cooley Legal.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DOD NOT @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Nikki Hiltz reacts after winning the women's 1,500m in a meet record 3:55.33 during the US Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 30, 2024. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
In the highly anticipated decision of West Virginia v. BPJ and Little v. Hecox, the high court upheld state laws requiring student athletes to compete on sports teams that corresponded to their natural sex at birth rather than their gender identity.
Hiltz competed in the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, winning the mile race in 4:17.49.
“I wasn't surprised, but obviously I was still disappointed,” Hiltz said of the decision, per The Athletic. “For me, I want to show that trans people can be in sports, be validated in their sexuality. We're not these big, scary things.”
Hiltz added, “It's a strange time in our country for many different communities, mine in particular.”
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
Nikki Hiltz (USA) after the women's 1,500 meters final during the World Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on September 16, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Images)
Hiltz, who has always run in women's races, has previously been open about her gender identity.
“The best way I can describe my sexuality is as fluid,” Hiltz wrote in an Instagram post last year. “Sometimes I wake up feeling like a powerful queen and other days I wake up feeling like I'm just a guy, and sometimes I'm completely gender-neutral.”
Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the Supreme Court's opinion.
“Consistent with Title IX and the Equal Protection Act, we hold that States may reserve women's and girls' sports for natural women. They may determine the eligibility of women's and girls' sports based on natural sex,” the opinion read.
Now, more than half of US states have been empowered to enforce protections in women's sports without fear of legal challenge.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
Nikki Hiltz, USA celebrates winning the Women's Wanamaker Mile, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, during the Millrose Games, New York City. Hiltz won with a time of 4:19.64. (Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK via Magn Images)
However, there are still 23 states, including California, New York and Massachusetts, that do not have such laws, and some of those have laws protecting transgender athletes in girls' sports.
Fox News' Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
