Olympic Journeys Culminate in Gold and Continued Pursuit
Elana Meyers Taylor has finally secured an Olympic gold medal in the women's monobob event at the Winter Olympics. After competing in five Olympic Games and winning multiple medals, the historic victory marks a significant achievement for the American athlete. The Games also saw Eileen Gu earn a silver medal in big air freestyle skiing, adding to her collection, and the U.S. women's hockey team advancing towards a gold medal match.
A Long Road to Gold and Notable Performances
The tenth day of the Winter Olympics was marked by the culmination of years of effort for some athletes, while others continued their impressive runs. Elana Meyers Taylor, at 41 years old, became the oldest U.S. Winter Olympics gold medalist, achieving her lifelong goal in her fifth Olympic appearance. Her win in the monobob event secured her first gold medal, adding to her previous collection of silver and bronze. This accomplishment ties her with Bonnie Blair for the most career Winter Olympic medals by a U.S. woman, with six.
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"Small margins decided gold medals at the Milan Cortina Olympics as Eileen Gu had to settle for another silver in defense of her big air ski freestyle title and Elana Meyers Taylor of the U.S. finally won bobsled gold in her fifth Olympics." - Associated Press
Eileen Gu, competing in freestyle skiing, secured a silver medal in the big air event, her second of the Games. The men's ski jumping competition saw Austria win its first-ever Olympic gold in the super team event. The U.S. women's hockey team continued its dominant performance, advancing to the gold medal game.
Evidence of Success and Milestones
Official results and media reports confirm Elana Meyers Taylor's gold medal victory in the women's monobob. Her winning time was 3:57.93.
Elana Meyers Taylor's Monobob Results:
Gold: Elana Meyers Taylor (USA) - 3:57.93
Silver: Laura Nolte (GER) - 3:57.97
Bronze: Kaillie Humphries (USA) - 3:58.05
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Meyers Taylor's win is historic on multiple fronts:
It is her first Olympic gold medal.
At 41, she is the oldest U.S. Winter Olympics gold medalist.
Her sixth career medal ties Bonnie Blair's record for a U.S. woman.
She is the most decorated U.S. female bobsledder.
Her medal count extends her record as the most decorated Black athlete at the Winter Olympics.
A Career Defined by Perseverance
Meyers Taylor's Decades-Long Pursuit
Elana Meyers Taylor's journey to Olympic gold spanned over 16 years and five Olympic Games. Prior to this victory, she had accumulated five Olympic medals – three silver and two bronze. Her consistency is evident, having won at least one medal in each of her previous four Olympic appearances. Her husband, Nic Taylor, is a former Olympic bobsledder, indicating a deep connection to the sport within the family. Meyers Taylor's past achievements include a bronze medal at the most recent World Championships.
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Kaillie Humphries' Continued Success
Fellow American Kaillie Humphries, a multiple gold medalist herself, secured a bronze medal in the monobob event. At 40 years old, Humphries also adds to her impressive Olympic career, demonstrating the continued strength and experience of American bobsledders.
Eileen Gu's Multidisciplinary Prowess
Eileen Gu is competing in three freestyle skiing events, showcasing her versatility. Her silver in big air follows her previous medal, highlighting her status as a top contender in the sport.
The Significance of Meyers Taylor's Gold
A Symbol of Dedication and Resilience
Elana Meyers Taylor's gold medal is more than just a win; it represents a testament to dedication and resilience. Her victory comes after years of training, competition, and near misses at the highest level. The emotional outpouring following her win, particularly in celebration with her sons, underscores the personal significance of this achievement.
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"For 16 years, a gold medal eluded Elana Meyers Taylor, the most decorated female bobsledder in the sport’s history." - The New York Times
U.S. Women's Hockey on a Path to Gold
The U.S. women's hockey team's strong performance, including a dominant win against Sweden, places them in contention for the gold medal match against Canada. This continued success reflects the strength of the U.S. program in team sports at the Winter Olympics.
Expert Insights and Broader Context
The achievements of Elana Meyers Taylor and Eileen Gu highlight the evolving landscape of winter sports and the increasing prominence of female athletes. Meyers Taylor's record-breaking medal haul cements her legacy, while Gu's multi-event success demonstrates a new generation of athletic talent. The competitive margins in events like monobob and big air emphasize the razor-thin differences that can decide Olympic champions.
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"At 41 years old and at her fifth Olympic Games, Meyers Taylor was already a five-time Olympic medalist. Age never a factor for Meyers Taylor and Humphries." - NBC Olympics
Findings and Future Implications
Elana Meyers Taylor's Olympic gold medal is a defining moment in her career and a significant achievement for U.S. bobsledding. Her victory, coupled with Kaillie Humphries' bronze, underscores the strength of the American team. Eileen Gu's continued success in freestyle skiing showcases her as a formidable competitor. The advancement of the U.S. women's hockey team into the gold medal game points towards another potential triumph for the nation. These outcomes reflect the dedication, skill, and perseverance of these elite athletes on the Olympic stage.
Sources Used:
Associated Press (AP): https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-winter-olympics-a8a22f9aefa87a01682ddb5042fc2d79
CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/winter-olympics-2026-live-updates-day-10-results-highlights/live/
NBC Olympics: https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/elana-meyers-taylor-wins-olympic-gold-last-storybook-womens-monobob-triumph
CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elana-meyers-taylor-olympics-gold-female-bobsledder/
The New York Times (The Athletic): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7050927/2026/02/16/elana-meyers-taylor-monobob-gold-medal-winter-olympics/
iNFOnews.ca: https://infonews.ca/news/7540305/winter-olympics-recap-meyers-taylor-gets-gold-for-us-and-eileen-gu-wins-silver/
Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/american-elana-meyers-taylor-finally-captures-gold-medal-winter-olympics-makes-team-usa-history
CNN: https://www.cnn.com/sport/live-news/milan-winter-olympics-results-highlights-medals-02-16-26
New York Post: https://nypost.com/2026/02/16/sports/elana-meyers-taylor-41-finally-wins-first-gold-medal-in-fifth-olympics/