Meet Elana Meyers Taylor: The American Bobsledder Who Finally Won Her First Gold Medal

American Elana Meyers Taylor has many titles: professional bobsledder, wife, devoted mother of two, proud patriot, and now — finally — Olympic gold medalist.

The 41-year-old also became the oldest athlete to win an individual event in the winter games, and is tied for the most decorated female Winter Olympian for Team USA. Before the Milan Cortina Games, Meyers Taylor has been overwhelmingly close to gold with five previous medals — three silver and two bronze. But after several years and Olympic appearances, this Monday, she finally secured first.

Her win took place in the women’s monobob competition. Meyers Taylor was to go second to last, and delivered an impressive time of 3:57.93, beating her teammate Kaillie Humphries for the top spot. Only one person stood between her and the gold medal — Germany’s Laura Nolte, who was the gold medalist in the women’s bobsled from the Beijing games in 2022. She anxiously awaited as Nolte sped down the track neck-and-neck with her times, but finished a mere 0.04 seconds behind Meyers Taylor.

Once she realized her victory, Meyers Taylor jumped and shouted with joy before falling to her knees, hands to her face and clutching the American flag.

Elana Meyers Taylor’s GOLDEN reaction says it all. ???????? #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/5gU3MItPN5

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 17, 2026

But Meyers Taylor isn’t just an elite competitor. She is a proud wife, mother, and American.

Meyers Taylor met her husband, Nic, who was also a bobsledder, in a Bible study near the U.S. Olympic Training Center in New York in 2011. Their two sons are both deaf, and one has Down syndrome. In a post before the games, she wrote: “I am a first generation American- a proud Jamaican Panamanian Italian American. I am the daughter of an immigrant and the proud mother of two disabled sons and my story isn’t possible in most other places in the world. I am proud to represent the US and I love my country dearly.”

She is also an outspoken Christian and shared this on Tuesday: “The moment we prayed for. Glory to God. Forever an Olympic Champion.”

Meyers Taylor has had her eyes set on Olympic gold for a long time, but she believes there is more to it than just the game. In a 2016 interview, she said, ​​”We’re talking about the Olympics. We’re talking about trying to win the gold medal. All of these things can be overwhelming. But regardless of whether I win a gold medal or never compete again, I just have to trust that God has a plan for my life and I’m called to be his representative through the sport and outside of the sport.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Elana Meyers Taylor OLY (@elanameyerstaylor)