One medal down, one to go in Beijing
Meyers Taylor earned her fourth piece of Olympic hardware over the weekend, snagging a silver medal behind U.S. teammate Kaillie Humphries in the monobob. Now, it’s time for her to grab the elusive gold in the two-woman race.
Meyers Taylor has a little extra motivation this time around as she’s racing for her son, Nico, who was born prematurely from an emergency C-section in Feb. 2020. Nico was diagnosed with Down syndrome and has significant hearing loss.
After her win last week, she posted a video on Instagram of Nico playing with her silver medal. “The moment I’ve dreamed of ,” she wrote.
Meyers Taylor fought hard to get back into shape after a difficult pregnancy
She turned her garage into an at-home gym with her son by her side during the Covid-19 pandemic.
All the countless hours and sleepless nights paid off as Meyers Taylor won her first women’s bobsled World Cup race since 2019 and claimed her fourth title this season in the monobob, a solo bobsleigh, at the beginning of the year.
“I want to show Nico that you can persevere through anything,” said Meyers Taylor. “I want him to go out there and chase any dream he has without fear.”
Life is full of curveballs
In her fourth Games, Meyers Taylor was chosen as a flag bearer for Team USA, but she couldn’t attend. Two days after landing in Beijing, she announced on Instagram that she tested positive for coronavirus.
Luckily, after isolating and even training in her room while quarantining, she was cleared to compete with her sights set on gold.
Meyers Taylor’s Olympic dream started on the softball field
After falling short of a professional career, her parents suggested bobsled as it didn’t require so much training that she’d be too far behind. In bobsled, her immense strength was a major asset.
Her abilities were clear from the start, and Meyers Taylor made history in 2015 as the first U.S. female bobsledder to earn the World Championship in women’s bobsledding.
Her impact is felt far beyond her accomplishments on the ice
Meyers Taylor has always been a staunch advocate for women’s and racial equality in sports.
In 2020, she detailed her experiences of racism and injustice in the sport in an essay. “No amount of Olympic medals – or at least the ones I’ve won thus far – can save you from experiencing racism,” she wrote. Her statements led USA Bobsled & Skeleton to launch an investigation.
We’re betting on another medal for EMT
Since 2002, when Team USA’s women’s bobsledding team first competed, the group has medaled, and that streak won’t end now.
Meyers Taylor and teammate Kaillie Humphries are ready to go.
Learn more about our Bet on Women Campaign here.
Term of the Day
Why we’re betting on Elana Meyers Taylor
1. Because we also want to be part of the family.
I mean could they have a better Halloween costume??
2. Because her son is her motivation.
We can’t stop watching little Nico play with mommy’s medal.
3. Because she is a strong supporter of advocating for female athletes and believes she “has a responsibility to fight for equality for those who can’t.”
Ask us how important we think this is…
4. Because she nailed the crap out of the Golden Spike.
We would expect nothing less. Have you seen how hard she trains?!
5. Because she loves ugly Christmas – or Hanukah – sweaters as much as the rest of us.
These two are one lean, mean, green, incredible team.