Veteran U.S. Bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor Eyes Gold at 41

The most decorated female bobsledder and Black Winter Olympian aims to win her first Olympic gold medal in her fifth Games.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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At 41 years old, U.S. Olympic bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor is competing in her fifth consecutive Winter Olympics, determined to finally win the gold medal that has eluded her throughout her illustrious career. Despite facing setbacks this season, including a brutal crash, the veteran athlete remains confident in her abilities, saying "I'm money under pressure." Meyers Taylor, the most decorated female bobsledder and Black Winter Olympian, is driven to succeed not for herself, but to inspire her two young sons, who will be cheering her on in Cortina, Italy.

Why it matters

Meyers Taylor's pursuit of Olympic gold at 41 defies conventional wisdom about the longevity of elite athletes, particularly in speed and power sports. Her perseverance and unwavering self-belief in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration, especially for underrepresented groups in winter sports. A gold medal would cement her legacy as one of the greatest bobsledders of all time.

The details

Meyers Taylor, a native of Douglasville, Georgia, has won medals in the last four Winter Olympics, including bronze in 2010, silver in 2014 and 2018, and bronze and silver in 2022. However, a gold medal has remained elusive. This season has been challenging, with no first-place finishes and a serious crash in Switzerland. But the veteran athlete, known as "E-Money" for her ability to perform under pressure, believes she can still win gold in both the two-woman bobsled and the monobob, which made its Olympic debut in 2022.

  • Meyers Taylor will compete in her fifth consecutive Winter Olympics starting on Sunday, February 19, 2026.
  • She won bronze in the two-woman bobsled in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
  • Meyers Taylor won silver medals in the two-woman bobsled in the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
  • In the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Meyers Taylor won bronze in the two-woman bobsled and silver in the monobob, which made its Olympic debut.

The players

Elana Meyers Taylor

A 41-year-old U.S. Olympic bobsledder from Douglasville, Georgia, who is the most decorated female bobsledder and Black Winter Olympian of all time.

Nico

Meyers Taylor's 5-year-old son, who is deaf and has Down syndrome.

Noah

Meyers Taylor's 3-year-old son, who is also deaf.

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What they’re saying

“My nickname for people who know me most is E-Money. I'm money under pressure.”

— Elana Meyers Taylor (NBC News)

“I'm a person who believes that if you see it, you can be it.”

— Elana Meyers Taylor (NBC News)

“Nobody in their right mind would say, 'Hey, a 41-year-old woman is going to have a shot at another Olympic medal in a speed and power sport.' I want my children to know that people told their mom that it can't happen and then she went for it anyways.”

— Elana Meyers Taylor (NBC News)

What’s next

Meyers Taylor will compete in the two-woman bobsled and monobob events at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy, starting on February 19.

The takeaway

Elana Meyers Taylor's pursuit of Olympic gold at 41, despite facing setbacks and doubters, serves as an inspiring example of perseverance and the power of self-belief. Her story underscores the importance of representation and role models, especially for underrepresented groups in winter sports, and the ability to defy conventional wisdom about athletic longevity.