Monobob gold medalist Kaillie Meyers Taylor has secured her sixth Olympic medal, but her journey at the Games is far from over as she prepares for the two-woman bobsleigh event, starting with the opening heats on February 20. Meyers Taylor will be teaming up with Jadin O’Brien, an 18-year-old heptathlete who is new to the bobsleigh scene this season.
The transition to bobsleigh can be challenging, as demonstrated by a recent incident in January when their sled overturned during a World Cup race in St. Moritz. Reflecting on the crash, Meyers Taylor described it as one of the most severe she has experienced. “It was a really, really bad crash, one of the worst I’ve had,” she shared with the Olympic Information Services. O’Brien was ejected from the sled and sustained injuries that required hospitalization.
Despite the severity of the incident, O’Brien’s resilience shone through. “She took the crash and didn’t give it a second thought. She went straight into the race and just gave it her all, which was amazing in my book,” Meyers Taylor remarked, highlighting her teammate’s determination and courage.
Now, as they head to Cortina, Meyers Taylor expresses confidence in O’Brien’s abilities, noting that she has partnered with multiple athletes this season, and O’Brien’s athletic background provides her with significant potential. “She’s very new but has tremendous upside potential. She’s fast as a track athlete, so she’s got really good velocity getting into the sled,” Meyers Taylor explained.
Embracing the role of underdog, Meyers Taylor is accustomed to the competitive landscape within the U.S. bobsleigh team, where attention often centers on other drivers due to their performances. Nonetheless, she remains focused on the upcoming challenges and is optimistic about what lies ahead for her and O’Brien. This sense of camaraderie and determination showcases the spirit of athletes in overcoming obstacles together.