Elana Meyers Taylor Wins First Olympic Gold Medal In Monobob At Age 41 – Oldest Individual Winner In Winter Olympics History

Elana Meyers Taylor made history at the Milan Cortina Winter Games on Monday, becoming the oldest woman to win an individual gold medal in Winter Olympics history at age 41.

The American bobsledder faced an uphill battle to reach the mountain top, giving birth to two children and dealing with concussions that set her back. This was her sixth career medal and first Olympic title.

Meyers Taylor achieved this accomplishment with both of her kids in the audience, watching her as she completed her lifelong dream and mission. “I thought it was impossible,” Meyers Taylor said.

Meyers Taylor rallied in the fourth and final heat, winning with a four-run, two-day time of three minutes and 57.93 seconds.

She was already the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history before winning the gold, only solidifying her place in history. This win put her in a tie with Bonnie Blair for the most by a U.S. woman in the Winter Olympics. Meyers Taylor spoke on being in the same company as Blair, saying, “To have my name up there with Bonnie Blair, it doesn’t even make sense to me.”

The U.S. also took home the bronze medal in this event with Kaillie Humphries Armbruster finishing in third. Germany’s Laura Nolte, who was in the lead for the majority of the contest, finished in second place.