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US Olympic runner Nikki Hiltz, who identifies as transgender non-binary, responded Friday to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) policy of excluding men from women’s competitions.
The IOC announced its new policy on Thursday. The organization said it will use genetic tests to verify the biological sex of competitors in women’s events.
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Nikki Hiltz (USA) after the women’s 1,500 meters final at the World Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on September 16, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
“All Olympic athletes competing in women’s sports are now required to undergo genetic gender testing,” Hiltz wrote in a post on Instagram Stories. “Attacks on trans people have consistently led to more policing and regulation of ALL women’s bodies. Everyone is hurt by transphobia.
“You already know where I stand on this, but this policy is so stupid and doesn’t solve a problem that exists. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but ZERO transwomen competed in the Paris Olympics. Only ONE transwoman weightlifter competed in Tokyo 2021 and she didn’t win a medal. Can’t we just deal with focusing on, maybe energy and women’s issues in the face of trans people?”
Hiltz, who won a silver medal at the 2024 World Indoor Championships and a gold at the 2019 Pan American Games, competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The IOC said eligibility for events in the women’s category is “now limited to biological females, determined on the basis of a one-time SRY gene screening.”
“Evidence-based and expertly informed, the policy – applicable for the LA28 Olympic Games and beyond – protects fairness, safety and integrity in the women’s category.”
Nikki Hiltz of the United States celebrates winning the Women’s Wanamaker Mile Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, during the Millrose Games in New York City. Hiltz won with a time of 4:19.64. (Kevin R. Wexler/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The test can be performed via saliva, cheek swab or blood test.
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The IOC said it came to the decision to implement the policy after consulting a panel of experts with the aim of giving women equal opportunities in sport.
“The policy was developed on the basis that it is universally accepted that the provision of a women’s category is necessary to give both men and women equal access to elite sport,” the IOC said in a statement.
“It was guided by the IOC’s modern goals of equality (equal opportunities for female athletes in finals, podiums and championships); strengthening the Olympic value (with both women’s and men’s finals in all sports); and visibility and inspiration (celebrating female athletes on the Olympic podium and girls to inspire and represent women worldwide”).
IOC president Kirsty Coventry suggested the continued inclusion of men in women’s sports is “not safe” in the announcement.
“As a former athlete, I believe passionately in the rights of all Olympians to participate in fair competition. The policy we have announced is based on science and has been guided by medical experts. At the Olympic Games, even the smallest of margins can be the difference between victory and defeat,” Coventry said.
Klaudia Kazimierska (POL) and 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/Imagn Images)
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“So it’s quite clear that it wouldn’t be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. Additionally, in some sports it simply wouldn’t be safe.”
