Elana Meyers Taylor tops U.S. bobsled medal count with Olympic gold

Elana Meyers Taylor clinched gold in women’s monobob at the Olympic Games on Monday, solidifying her status as the most decorated U.S. female bobsledder. The 41-year-old five-time Olympian surpassed Germany’s Laura Nolte to take home the top prize, with fellow American Kaillie Humphries securing the bronze.

Meyers Taylor’s illustrious career has already garnered her more medals than any Black athlete in Winter Olympic history, according to Team USA. She previously won three silver and two bronze medals. In total, Meyers Taylor now sits alongside speed skater Bonnie Blair as the most decorated female U.S. bobsledder in Winter Olympics history.

Her achievement also makes her the oldest American woman ever to win gold at a Winter Games. “It feels like being a superhero,” she enthused with CBS News before the race, describing how much fun it was to navigate curves and glide during competition.

Meyers Taylor has also competed in two-woman bobsled, previously securing bronze in the world championships last year. In her career thus far, she’s accumulated ten medals across international competitions, further cementing her legacy as a true champion of Winter sports.

Originally aspiring to compete in football for the Summer Olympics, Meyers Taylor recounted how her parents’ suggestion to try bobsledding after seeing it on TV changed her life trajectory. Her husband Nic, also an Olympic medalist, has provided invaluable support throughout her journey.

As both a dedicated mom and athlete, Meyers Taylor balances challenging responsibilities with her two sons—Nico, who is deaf and has Down Syndrome, and Noah, their younger child. Beyond her athletic achievements, she’s made notable strides in advocating for children with disabilities.

Meyers Taylor’s story is emblematic of the resilience and determination required to excel at a competitive level like bobsledding, serving as an inspiration not just to fellow athletes but also to families managing unique challenges and ambitions together.