Elana Meyers Taylor Wins Olympic Gold, Makes History at 41

Elana Meyers Taylor has made history at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, winning the gold medal in monobob. At 41, she became the oldest American woman to win Olympic gold at the Winter Games. Meyers Taylor, a mother of two special-needs children, has faced career challenges, including concussions and doubts, but her perseverance paid off.

She completed the four-run, two-day event with a total time of 3 minutes, 57.93 seconds, rallying in the final heat to claim victory. This gold is her first Olympic title and her sixth career medal, tying her with Bonnie Blair for the most Winter Olympic medals by a U.S. woman.

Germany’s Laura Nolte led after the first three runs but finished second, while fellow American Kaillie Humphries Armbruster secured bronze. Humphries Armbruster, 40, recently returned to competition after becoming a mother and now holds five career Olympic medals.

Meyers Taylor had previously won five Olympic medals—three silver and two bronze. “I thought it was impossible, but I’m so happy I was wrong,” she said after the win.

The American sweep of the podium highlights the strength and determination of U.S. women in bobsledding. Meyers Taylor and Humphries Armbruster continue to challenge the notion that age limits athletic performance, proving that experience and perseverance can triumph at the highest level.

“Seeing Elana win was iconic,” said Kaysha Love, last year’s U.S. world monobob champion, who finished seventh.

This historic win cements Meyers Taylor’s legacy as one of the most decorated Black athletes in Winter Olympics history.