Elana Meyers Taylor claims her first Olympic gold medal in monobob, securing victory by a mere 0.04 seconds over Germany’s Laura Nolte in the tightest women’s bobsleigh finish in Olympic history. The win occurs at Località Gilardon near Cortina d’Ampezzo, marking a historic milestone in her fifth Games.
Breaking Records and Barriers
Meyers Taylor solidifies her legacy as the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history, surpassing speed skater Shani Davis. She boasts more Olympic medals than any other female bobsledder, with podium finishes in Vancouver, Sochi, Pyeongchang, and Beijing. Her efforts competing alongside men on the World Cup tour and at world championships helped introduce women’s monobob to the Winter Olympic program.
At 40 years old, despite chronic back pain, a history of concussions, and the demands of motherhood, Meyers Taylor achieves the top spot she long pursued. This gold eclipses Benjamin Karl’s record as the oldest Winter Olympic gold medalist in an individual event.
Overcoming a Challenging Season
Leading into these Olympics, Meyers Taylor faces her toughest season yet, failing to podium in any World Cup event. She battles injuries, self-doubt, chronic pain, and a severe crash in St. Moritz last month. Balancing elite competition with raising two young sons—five-year-old Nico, who is deaf and has Down syndrome, and three-year-old Noah, who is also deaf—proves the greatest hurdle.
“The hardest mental battle is just the day-to-day with my kids and trying to figure out how to make this all work,” Meyers Taylor states. A robust support network, including coaches, federation officials, family, and her husband, former U.S. bobsledder Nic Taylor, enables her to reach the start line. “It took so many people just to get me to the starting line,” she adds.
Emotional Triumph on the Podium
Meyers Taylor drops to her knees in tears, wrapped in the American flag, with Nico and Noah by her side as Nolte’s final run falls short. “I don’t think I’m going to process this for a while,” she says. “There were so many moments during this entire season… that we just thought it was impossible.”
The boys, briefed with signs for “bobsled,” “race,” and “champion,” share the visual memory of their mother’s victory. “I hope they remember this visually… One day when they’re a little bit older they’ll see it and they’ll know that their mom was Olympic champion,” Meyers Taylor reflects.
Consistency Seals the Win
Meyers Taylor excels through steady performance across four runs, avoiding errors while rivals chase faster splits or top speeds. “I just focused on what I needed to do, the points I needed to hit,” she explains. Her coach’s morning track review proves pivotal in delivering a flawless effort.
Her achievements include 21 World Cup wins, 10 world championship medals, and two overall world titles spaced eight years apart. Last year, she noted, “The only thing missing from my resume at this point is an Olympic gold medal.”
Inspiring Beyond the Track
Meyers Taylor emerges as a beacon for families with children facing disabilities, especially in deaf and Down syndrome communities. “People from all over the world reaching out… telling me their stories… They’ve been encouraging me,” she shares. “I’m so excited to represent them. I’m so excited to represent my country.”
Her influence extends further: interning with the International Olympic Committee, leading the Women’s Sports Foundation as president, advocating for gender equality, and addressing racial discrimination in bobsledding. Her persistence, compassion, and leadership hint at greater roles ahead.
“I don’t think I needed it. I wanted it,” Meyers Taylor concludes. “And that’s what allowed me to keep going.”
