American middle-distance runner Nikki Hiltz secured a spot in the women’s 1500-meter semifinals after finishing in third place in their qualifying heat at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday. They completed the race with a time of 4:00:42.Related video above: Noah Lyles claims title of world's fastest man, making his mark at the OlympicsThe California native who now lives and trains in Arizona identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns. They compete in the women's division as they were assigned female at birth. Hiltz was an NCAA Division I runner on the women's track and field team at the University of Arkansas, where they earned All-American honors in the outdoor 1500m in 2018.At the Olympic Trials in June, Hiltz won their race and shattered the previous record for the meet, running the 1500 in 3:55:33. Misinformation related to Hiltz's gender identity has spread on social media — leading many to believe that Hiltz is a transgender woman. This is not true. Regarding transgender athletes in sports, the International Olympic Committee defers to each sport's governing body. According to NBC Sports, the governing body in charge of international track and field competitions, World Athletics, adopted a policy last year prohibiting transgender women who have gone through male puberty from competing in female track and field categories. Transgender men can compete in male divisions if they have, "satisfactory signed declarations of their gender identities."For athletes who are nonbinary, the NBC article says, "Competitors who were assigned female at birth are generally allowed to compete in female categories if they haven’t received hormone therapy." This makes Hiltz perfectly eligible to compete in the women's division for Team USA.Despite the misinformation and attention, Hiltz has found positivity in their Olympic performances, sharing a post of hope on their Instagram page.“There’s a lot of ignorance and hate out there right now. For those who identify as nonbinary or trans and are doing cool things in the world," Hiltz said on Instagram, "...remember you are magic and that it’s not the critic who counts. I love you. I need you. I see you. Keep going."Hiltz will compete in the women’s 1500-meter semifinal on Thursday. If they qualify, they will advance to the final race on Saturday.