Olympian Elana Meyers Taylor Celebrates Gold Medal with Deaf Sons

The bobsledder's husband, Nic Taylor, is also a former Olympian who supported her journey.

Feb. 19, 2026 at 6:23am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Elana Meyers Taylor, the most decorated female bobsledder of all time, won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics. After her victory, she immediately embraced her two deaf sons, Nico and Noah, and signed to them, 'Mommy won!' Elana is married to Nic Taylor, a two-time Olympian and former member of the U.S. bobsled team, who has been a constant source of support throughout her intense training.

Why it matters

Elana's inspiring story highlights the importance of family support and overcoming challenges, as her sons Nico and Noah were both born deaf. The Meyers Taylor family's use of American Sign Language (ASL) and simultaneous communication (SimCom) to connect with their children is an uplifting example of inclusion and accessibility in sports.

The details

Elana and Nic first met when Elana was an intern at the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation and Nic, a former track athlete, called with questions about transitioning to bobsledding. The couple later competed together at the 2016–17 Bobsleigh World Cup. Nic proposed to Elana during the medal ceremony at the 2013 World Championships, and they married in 2014, incorporating bobsledding into their wedding ceremony.

  • Elana and Nic's first son, Nico, was born in 2020 and diagnosed with Down Syndrome and hearing loss.
  • Their second son, Noah, was born in 2022 and is also deaf.
  • Elana won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics on February 16, 2026.

The players

Elana Meyers Taylor

A Team USA Olympic bobsledder who won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics and is the most decorated female bobsledder of all time.

Nic Taylor

Elana's husband, a two-time Olympian and former member of the U.S. bobsled team.

Nico

Elana and Nic's firstborn son, born in 2020 with Down Syndrome and hearing loss.

Noah

Elana and Nic's second son, born in 2022 and also deaf.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's surreal.”

— Elana Meyers Taylor

“Having Nico, like, that reinvigorated me. Knowing he had disabilities [motivated me] to kind of show him, like, his mom is strong and his mom can overcome obstacles. If I could do that, so could he.”

— Elana Meyers Taylor

“Being a mom to two deaf kids is it's kind of crazy in the sense that when they're born, you're told that you need to learn a whole new language to be able to communicate with your child. It's like walking into this brand new world that you never really knew existed.”

— Elana Meyers Taylor

What’s next

Elana Meyers Taylor plans to continue competing and inspiring her family, with the goal of defending her gold medal at the 2030 Winter Olympics.

The takeaway

Elana Meyers Taylor's story is a powerful testament to the strength of family, perseverance, and inclusion in sports. Her journey as a gold medalist and devoted mother to two deaf sons highlights the importance of accessibility and representation for athletes with disabilities.