U.S. Olympic bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor has entered the Milan Cortina Games with impressive momentum, currently holding second place after the initial two heats of the women’s monobob. With unwavering confidence, Taylor expressed her self-assuredness in her abilities, referring to herself as “E-Money,” emphasizing her capacity to excel under pressure.
The 41-year-old from Douglasville, Georgia, has etched her name in history as the most decorated female bobsledder and the first Black Winter Olympian. While these achievements were not her initial goals, she draws inspiration from predecessors like Shani Davis, Vonetta Flowers, and her teammate Erin Jackson. “I’m a person who believes that if you see it, you can be it,” she shared, highlighting the importance of representation in sports.
Despite her accolades, a gold medal at the Olympics has eluded Taylor thus far. Her journey has included a bronze medal in the two-woman bobsled at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, followed by a silver in Sochi in 2014 and another silver in PyeongChang in 2018. Last year in Beijing, she added a bronze in the monobob, marking a significant moment as the event debuted at the Olympics.
Leading up to this season, however, Taylor faced challenges. She dealt with chronic back pain and went through a severe crash during a training run in Switzerland, which she described as “one of the most horrific crashes” she has encountered. Nonetheless, the veteran competitor remains optimistic, firmly stating, “I’m still going for those two gold medals. I still believe it’s possible,” demonstrating her resilience in the face of adversity.
Taylor’s journey to bobsledding is a testament to her adaptability and determination. After a distinguished collegiate career as an All-American softball player, she experienced setbacks during the tryouts for the U.S. Olympic softball team; however, it was a suggestion from her parents to explore bobsledding that shifted her trajectory.
Now, as she gears up for the crucial remaining heats, her motivation extends beyond personal achievement. Taylor aims to inspire her two young sons, Nico, 5, who is deaf and has Down syndrome, and Noah, 3, also deaf. They will be cheering her on in Cortina, emphasizing that she is defying expectations and pursuing her dreams regardless of age or challenges.
As she stands just 0.22 seconds behind the gold medal position, Taylor’s commitment to overcoming obstacles highlights a message of hope and empowerment that resonates within the sporting community and beyond.