A new documentary, KICK, is set to shine a spotlight on Nikki Hiltz, the American 1,500m runner, as they chase a dream that could make sporting history. The film captures Hiltz’s quest to become the first openly trans non-binary athlete to compete at the Olympic Games, while navigating the intense pressures of elite sport and the complexities of identity.

Like any great sports story, KICK is about ambition, resilience, and the hurdles faced along the way. Through intimate, behind-the-scenes footage of Hiltz’s 2024 season, the documentary aims to humanise the trans experience and offer a nuanced perspective on an issue that continues to divide opinion.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Flagstaff, Arizona, the film opens with Hiltz training at nearly 7,000 feet above sea level. Every stride, every breath is in service of a singular goal: to qualify for Paris 2024. “Just a track nerd with a dream,” is how Hiltz describes themself - yet their journey is anything but ordinary. Since coming out as trans non-binary, Hiltz has found themselves at the centre of a cultural debate about fairness and inclusion in sport.

The documentary also introduces Emma, Hiltz’s partner and fellow elite runner. Outspoken and fearless, Emma brings a fiery counterpoint to Hiltz’s more reserved nature. Together, they navigate the highs and lows of training, competition, and public scrutiny.

KICK follows Hiltz through triumphs and setbacks: from a crushing defeat just weeks before the Olympic Trials to a record-breaking performance that secures their place on Team USA. In Paris, Hiltz makes history - not by winning a medal, but by stepping onto the track as the first openly trans runner at the Games.

At a time when trans athlete are face unprecedented hurdles, KICK offers a deeply human story - one that invites empathy and challenges entrenched views. As the filmmakers put it, “Through Nikki, audiences will get to know a trans athlete as a human first.”

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Graham Robson
Graham Robson

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