From the Brink of Retirement to Olympic Glory
The Crisis Point: A Bobsledder's Doubts
Weeks before the crucial World Cup bobsled event in Norway, Elana Meyers Taylor found herself in a deep emotional and physical slump. Her body was wracked with pain, and she questioned her ability to balance her athletic career with the demands of raising two deaf children. The competition results were consistently disappointing, leading her to consider abandoning the sport she loved.
A Lifeline from Home: Husband's Intervention
In a moment of despair, Meyers Taylor messaged her husband, Nic Taylor, expressing her desire to quit. Recognizing her distress, Nic, a former bobsledder himself and now a performance coach for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, received an unexpected gift: a plane ticket to Norway, arranged by a compassionate Spurs player. His timely arrival and unwavering support convinced Elana to reconsider her decision, altering the course of her Olympic destiny.
Triumph at Milan Cortina: A Golden Moment
Just two months after her near-retirement, Elana Meyers Taylor achieved an extraordinary feat, clinching the gold medal in women's monobob at the Milan Cortina Games. This victory was not merely a personal triumph but also a historic one: at 41, she became the oldest woman to win an individual gold medal in Winter Games history. Her sixth career Olympic medal tied Bonnie Blair's record for U.S. women in the Winter Games and extended her own record for most medals won by a Black woman in the winter showcase.
The Unforgettable Impact on Teammates
Jadin O'Brien, a bobsled rookie recruited by Meyers Taylor, described witnessing Elana's gold medal win as "the coolest sports moment" of her life. O'Brien, a decorated NCAA track athlete, emphasized the profound impact of Meyers Taylor's victory, highlighting the inspiration it provided to her and the entire team.
A Mother's Joy: Sharing Gold with Her Children
On the eve of her final monobob runs, Meyers Taylor had taught her two deaf sons, Nico (5) and Noah (3), sign language for terms like "gold medal" and "Olympic champion," albeit without expecting to use them so soon. The most heartwarming moment for her as a gold medalist was seeing Noah proudly wear her medal and sign "Noah, champion," a clear indication of his understanding and joy, despite his usual aversion to wearing pants.
Overcoming the Odds: A Season of Challenges
Meyers Taylor's path to gold was anything but smooth. Her World Cup monobob season had been underwhelming, with an average finish of 10th and no medals won. Her performance at Cortina in November placed her 19th, significantly behind the winning time. These results made her Olympic victory even more astonishing and a testament to her resilience.
A Career Defined by Close Finishes and Ultimate Victory
Her Olympic history was marked by heartbreakingly close defeats. In the 2014 Sochi Games, she lost the two-woman race gold by a mere 0.10 seconds. In 2018, she missed gold by 0.07 seconds. This time, the margin was even tighter—just 0.04 seconds separated her from silver medalist Laura Nolte. But this time, Elana Meyers Taylor emerged victorious, solidifying her place in Olympic history.
Contemplating Retirement: A Legacy Secured
With a gold medal secured, Meyers Taylor acknowledged the addictive thrill of competition but also hinted at retirement to focus on her family. She and her husband hope for a third child, recognizing the challenges of touring with an expanding family. Having achieved every honor the sport offers, she feels she has nothing left to prove, looking back on her journey with a sense of accomplishment and prid