Kaillie Humphries' Name Looms as Elana Meyers Taylor, 41, Charges for Olympic Gold
Elana Meyers Taylor, the most decorated female bobsledder and a standout Black Winter Olympian, is closing in on a long-sought Olympic gold at the Milan Cortina Games. After the first two women’s monobob heats, the 41-year-old sits within striking distance of the summit, just 0. 22 seconds off the lead with two heats remaining.
Veteran resolve: a career defined by near-misses and persistence
Known among friends and teammates as "E-Money, " Meyers Taylor has built a reputation for delivering under pressure. The confidence that fuels her is backed by a medal haul that spans four Winter Games: bronze in 2010, silver in 2014 and 2018, and a pair of podium finishes in 2022 when the monobob debuted. Yet the Olympic gold has remained elusive.
This season presented fresh obstacles. Meyers Taylor entered the Games without a World Cup win, battled chronic back pain and suffered a high-impact crash on a Swiss course last month she described as among the worst of her career. Still, the veteran remains resolute. "I'm still going for those two gold medals, " she said, framing the Games as unfinished business.
Her motivation is intensely personal: she wants to set an example for her two young sons, Nico, 5, and Noah, 3, who are deaf and who traveled to Cortina to watch their mother compete. Meyers Taylor has said she wants her children to see that doubts voiced by others did not stop her from chasing goals later in life—a message she hopes will resonate long after the Games.
Race dynamics, equipment and rivals
Bobsledding at the Olympic level is a precise blend of human power and technology, where hundredths of a second decide medal order. Innovations in sled materials and personalized gear for the critical start phase can make measurable differences over a run that pushes teams near speeds of 90 mph. The addition of monobob to the Olympic program in 2022 further highlighted the sport's focus on individual skill and equipment optimization.
As Meyers Taylor pushes for gold, conversations about the competitive field naturally include other prominent names in the sport. Kaillie Humphries is among those whose legacy is often referenced when fans and insiders discuss elite bobsled competition, underscoring how deep and storied the discipline has become.
Key moments will come in the start and in technical sections of the Cortina run. The first 30 to 50 meters are decisive; acceleration there sets the tone for the remainder of the course, and refined footwear, insoles and sled setups play crucial roles. For a seasoned pilot like Meyers Taylor, experience navigating high-speed courses and responding to unexpected incidents—like the recent crash—could prove as valuable as any gear advantage.
What to watch in the final heats
With two heats left, margins are razor-thin. Meyers Taylor's mix of grit, technical skill and emotional drive positions her as a genuine contender for gold in both the two-woman event and monobob. Observers should watch for clean starts, line choice through the trickier curves, and how she manages any lingering effects from her back trouble and recent crash.
Beyond podium math, the story carries broader resonance: a 41-year-old athlete challenging expectations in a speed and power sport, motivated by family and legacy. Whether she reaches the top of the podium or adds another silver or bronze to her collection, Meyers Taylor's pursuit at these Games is already reshaping conversations about longevity, resilience and representation in winter sport.
The final runs will determine whether the nickname "E-Money" becomes shorthand for Olympic gold or another chapter in a remarkable career that has inspired a new generation of athletes.
