Elana Meyers Taylor: A Legacy Forged in Ice and Perseverance

Elana Meyers Taylor, a veteran of five Winter Games, has etched her name into Olympic history, finally securing the coveted gold medal in women’s monobob at Milan-Cortina. At 41, she’s become the oldest individual Olympic champion at a Winter Games, surpassing Austrian snowboarder Benjamin Karl. This triumph marks the culmination of a remarkable career, adding to her already impressive collection of three silver and two bronze medals earned since her debut at the Vancouver Games in 2010.

A Nail-Biting Finish

With a combined time of 3:57:93 over four heats, Meyers Taylor edged out Germany’s Laura Nolte by a mere 0.04 seconds and compatriot Kaillie Armbruster Humphries by 0.12 seconds. The victory wasn’t just about speed; it was a testament to unwavering dedication and perseverance.

“Finally the gold! It took long enough, right?” Meyers Taylor exclaimed to BBC Sport, her voice filled with emotion. “It just goes to show you… just to keep persevering, my team and everybody behind me, it means so much to come away as Olympic champion.”

More Than Just a Medal

This gold medal isn’t just a personal achievement; it’s a milestone for female bobsleigh pilots. Meyers Taylor is now the most decorated female bobsleigh pilot of all time and the first mother to win Olympic bobsleigh gold. She also stands as the most decorated Black athlete at a Winter Olympics, tying Bonnie Blair for the most medals won by an American woman.

However, for Meyers Taylor, the significance extends beyond personal accolades. She’s passionate about empowering female athletes and inspiring women to pursue their dreams. As she embraced her two young children, draped in the American flag, she spoke of a deeper purpose.

“This medal is also for all those moms who weren’t necessarily able to live their dreams, but their kids are now their dreams,” she shared. “Because those people keep me grounded. Those people kept me going and those people are the ones who reach out to me when things are hard and encourage me.”

A Family’s Journey

Meyers Taylor’s children, Nico and Noah, both deaf, with Nico also having Down syndrome, have been integral to her journey. Her husband, former bobsledder Nic Taylor, and the family travel together throughout the season. She acknowledges the sacrifices made by her children and the support system that enabled her success.

“My kids have sacrificed so much. There’s so many people who have helped me win this gold medal,” she said. “I’ve had different nannies throughout the years and every single one of them has done the work to help my kids get here and my husband, I can’t even put into words what this means and how many people it took to win this.”

Advocacy and Inspiration

As a disability advocate, Meyers Taylor is deeply encouraged by the stories she receives from around the world. She’s inspired by individuals with Down syndrome and deafness who believe in her, and she hopes to inspire them in return.

Former British bobsledder John Jackson, a bronze medallist at Sochi 2014, praised Meyers Taylor’s dedication and character. “She is not only a ferocious athlete but also a beautiful human being and a genuine person,” he said. “It has been a real show of dedication to keep going through the struggles of now being a mum in a high-performance sport.”

A Legacy of Partnership and Progress

Meyers Taylor’s five Olympic appearances have often been shared with compatriot Kaillie Armbruster Humphries, with the two women sharing the podium on five occasions. Both women, over the age of 40, are breaking barriers and proving that age is no limit to athletic achievement. They also played a key role in advocating for the inclusion of the monobob event in the 2022 Games.

As Jackson noted, “There’s a lot of younger athletes there who need to up their game to compete against these two world class athletes.” Elana Meyers Taylor’s story is a powerful reminder that with perseverance, dedication, and a strong support system, anything is possible.

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