Elana Meyers Taylor Achieves Golden Milestone at Milan Cortina Games
In a stunning display of perseverance and skill, Elana Meyers Taylor has finally captured the one accolade that had eluded her throughout her illustrious career: an Olympic gold medal. The 41-year-old bobsledder triumphed in the women's monobob event at the Milan Cortina Games on Monday night, rallying in the fourth and final heat to secure victory with a time of 3 minutes, 57.93 seconds. This historic win makes her the oldest American woman ever to stand atop the podium at a Winter Olympics, hearing "The Star-Spangled Banner" played in her honor.
A Career Defined by Excellence and Resilience
Meyers Taylor's journey to gold has been marked by numerous achievements, including World Cup victories, world championships, and five previous Olympic medals—three silver and two bronze. Even before this win, she held the distinction of being the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history. Her resilience is further highlighted by comebacks after becoming a mother and her role in recruiting dozens to the sport of bobsledding.
The final heat was a nail-biting affair, with Germany's Laura Nolte leading by 0.15 seconds going into the last run, followed by Meyers Taylor in second and fellow American Kaillie Humphries Armbruster in third, trailing by 0.24 seconds. The competition was tightly contested among these three athletes, with no other contenders within six-tenths of a second of the podium positions.
Thrilling Finish and Emotional Celebration
In the reverse-order sliding format, Humphries Armbruster went first, posting a time of 3:58.05 and securing at least a bronze medal, which she celebrated with arms raised high. U.S. coach Brian Shimer, typically reserved, erupted in jubilation, punching the air in excitement.
Next up was Meyers Taylor, who delivered a flawless run to clinch no worse than silver. As the results became official, she dropped to her knees in tears, overwhelmed with emotion. Wrapping herself in an American flag after exiting her sled, she savored the moment she had long awaited.
Nolte, despite her lead, could not maintain her pace in the final heat, ultimately finishing second. Meanwhile, Kaysha Love, the reigning world monobob champion from the U.S., struggled in her second and fourth runs, ending up in seventh place with a time of 3:59.27.
Historic Context and Legacy
This victory adds a sixth Olympic medal to Meyers Taylor's collection, tying her with Bonnie Blair for the most by a U.S. woman in Winter Olympics history. Notably, she and Humphries Armbruster made history as the first 40-something females to medal in women's Olympic bobsled, with Meyers Taylor previously holding the record as the oldest woman to win a bobsled medal at age 37 in Beijing.
The monobod event has seen these two athletes dominate, with Humphries Armbruster winning gold in its inaugural running at the 2022 Beijing Games, where Meyers Taylor took silver. Both have now medaled in all five of their Olympic appearances, showcasing unparalleled consistency and dedication to their sport.
For Meyers Taylor, this gold medal not only fills the lone gap in her trophy case but also cements her legacy as a trailblazer and inspiration in winter sports. Her story is one of determination, breaking barriers, and achieving greatness against the odds, making this victory all the more sweet for fans and athletes alike.
