elana meyers taylor secures long-awaited Olympic gold in monobob
Elana Meyers Taylor, 41, captured her first Olympic title on Monday night (ET) at the Milan Cortina Games, winning gold in the women's monobob and claiming a sixth career Olympic medal. The veteran bobsledder rallied in the final heat to finish with a four-run total of 3 minutes, 57. 93 seconds.
Historic milestone after a long, interrupted run
Meyers Taylor's victory marks the culmination of a career that has been defined by resilience. A mother of two who battled concussions and endured years of near misses on the Olympic podium, she finally stood alone at the top in an emotional moment. She became the oldest American woman to hear the national anthem at a Winter Games and now ties the record for most Winter Olympic medals by a U. S. female athlete with six.
Her path to gold was not straightforward. Prior to this triumph she had collected five Olympic medals—three silvers and two bronzes—across multiple Games. Those podium finishes established her as one of the most decorated athletes in U. S. Winter Olympic history, and this gold adds the one accolade that had eluded her.
Final-day drama on the Italian track
The title fight came down to the fourth and final run, where Meyers Taylor started the night within striking distance of the leader. Germany's top competitor had led after three runs, but time gaps were small enough that a clean final descent could reshuffle the order. Meyers Taylor delivered under pressure, leaping from her sled and wrapping herself in the American flag before collapsing to her knees in tears.
The silver and bronze places were absorbed into a closely contested podium. A fellow veteran secured bronze just minutes before Meyers Taylor crossed the line, ensuring both athletes in their 40s stood among the medalists and underscoring that age and new parenthood need not spell the end of elite performance in sliding sports. Coaches and teammates celebrated visibly, punches in the air and embraces on the ice track, as the final times were confirmed and the American flag rose.
Legacy and impact beyond the medal
Beyond the personal milestone, Meyers Taylor's gold carries broader significance. She has long been one of the most prominent Black athletes across Winter Games competition, and this victory amplifies that legacy. Her career—marked by advocacy, visibility, and excellence—now includes the sport's ultimate prize, adding a powerful chapter to U. S. winter sports history.
The win also reverberates across the U. S. team, which has seen highs and lows through these Games. Her ability to deliver under pressure, while balancing life as a parent and the physical toll of a long career, will likely be held up as an example for teammates and younger athletes. The performance serves as a reminder that experience and persistence remain decisive assets in high-stakes competition.
On a frosty night in the mountains, Meyers Taylor converted perseverance into gold—finally closing a chapter that had long hovered on the cusp of the top step. For the athlete, her family and the team, Monday night (ET) will be remembered as the moment long-sought Olympic success arrived.
