History of Elana Meyers Taylor in Timeline

Elana Meyers Taylor is an accomplished American Olympic bobsledder. Competing since 2007, she achieved her first Olympic gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics after securing three silver and two bronze medals in previous Games. A graduate of George Washington University and former softball player, Meyers Taylor is also a four-time World Champion, earning two gold medals in both the two-woman and mixed team events.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

October 10, 1984: Elana Meyers Taylor Born

On October 10, 1984, Elana Meyers Taylor was born Elana Alessandra Meyers in Oceanside, California.

Others born on this day/year

2007: Bobsledding Career Begins

In 2007, Elana Meyers Taylor began her career as an American Olympic bobsledder.

2009: Silver at FIBT World Championships

In 2009, Meyers Taylor and Shauna Rohbock won the silver medal in the bobsled two-woman event at the FIBT World Championships in Lake Placid, New York.

January 16, 2010: Named to U.S. Olympic Team

On January 16, 2010, Elana Meyers Taylor was named to the U.S. team for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

February 24, 2010: Bronze Medal at 2010 Winter Olympics

On February 24, 2010, Elana Meyers Taylor and Erin Pac won the bronze medal at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games with a total time of 3:33.40.

2010: Grant from Women's Sports Foundation

In 2010, Elana Meyers Taylor received a grant from the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) Travel and Training Fund.

2013: Second Place at FIBT World Championships

In 2013, Elana Meyers Taylor and Katie Eberling placed second at the FIBT World Championships in St. Moritz.

2013: Second Grant from WSF

In 2013, Elana Meyers Taylor received a second grant from the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF).

January 2014: Concussion While Racing

In January 2014, Elana Meyers Taylor suffered a concussion while racing in Konigssee, Germany.

February 19, 2014: Silver Medal at 2014 Winter Olympics

On February 19, 2014, Elana Meyers Taylor and Lauryn Williams won the silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, finishing with a total time of 3:50.71.

April 2014: Marriage to Nic Taylor

In April 2014, Elana Meyers Taylor married coach and fellow Olympic bobsledder Nic Taylor.

April 2014: Participation in China Women's Rugby Sevens Tournament

In April 2014, Elana Meyers Taylor took part in the 2014 China Women's Rugby Sevens tournament with the United States women's national team.

September 2014: Mixed-Gender Crews Allowed in Four-Man Bobsleigh

In September 2014, the Fédération Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing announced it would allow mixed-gender crews to compete in four-man bobsleigh.

November 15, 2014: First Women to Compete in International Four-Man Bobsleigh

On November 15, 2014, Elana Meyers Taylor and Kaillie Humphries became the first women to compete with/against men in an international four-man bobsleigh competition in Park City, Utah, with Meyers Taylor finishing seventh.

November 2014: First Woman to Medal in Men's Event

In November 2014, Elana Meyers Taylor made history by becoming the first woman to win a medal in a men's event as part of an international competition, with her husband Nic Taylor as her brakeman.

November 2014: Second Head Injury

In November 2014, Elana Meyers Taylor took another hit to her head and was not fully cleared to compete and practice again until mid-December of that year.

February 2015: World Championship Title in Women's Bobsled

In February 2015, Elana Meyers Taylor and Cherrelle Garrett won the first world championship title in women's bobsled for the United States, making Meyers Taylor the first U.S. bobsled driver to win on a non-North American track in 56 years.

February 2018: Silver Medal at 2018 Winter Olympics

In February 2018, Elana Meyers Taylor and Lauren Gibbs won a silver medal in the two-woman bobsleigh event at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

2018: Brain Donation for Concussion Research

In 2018, Elana Meyers Taylor announced she would be donating her brain to concussion research as a way to help and empower future female athletes.

2018: Advocacy for Female Athletes

In 2018, Elana Meyers Taylor spoke out about her drive to advocate for female athletes and women, stating that as a woman of Team USA, she "has a responsibility to fight for equality for those who can't. She loves the responsibility."

2018: Honorary Doctorate from George Washington University

In 2018, The George Washington University presented Elana Meyers Taylor with an honorary doctorate.

January 2019: Term as President of the Women's Sports Foundation Begins

In January 2019, Elana Meyers Taylor began her term as president of the Women's Sports Foundation due to her passion and advocacy work for female athletes.

2019: President of Women's Sports Foundation

In 2019, Elana Meyers Taylor served as the president of the Women's Sports Foundation.

June 26, 2020: Speaks Out Against Racism

On June 26, 2020, Elana Meyers Taylor called attention to the racism she has faced throughout her bobsledding career in an article by Team USA, detailing racist statements and the creation of a task force and workshop to combat discrimination.

2020: Birth of Son Nico

In 2020, Elana Meyers Taylor gave birth to her son, Nico, who was born with Down syndrome, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022: President's Medal and Commencement Speaker at George Washington University

In 2022, Elana Meyers Taylor received the President's Medal from George Washington University and served as the commencement speaker for the university's Class of 2022.

2022: Flag Bearer Designation and COVID-19 diagnosis

In 2022, Elana Meyers Taylor was chosen as a flag bearer for the U.S. Olympic team, but due to testing positive for COVID-19, she was unable to attend the opening ceremony and was replaced by Brittany Bowe.

2022: Birth of Second Son Noah

In 2022, Elana Meyers Taylor's second son, Noah, was born, who is deaf due to a mutation unrelated to Down syndrome.

2026: First Olympic Gold at 2026 Winter Olympics

At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Elana Meyers Taylor, at age 41, won her first Olympic gold medal.

2026: Gold Medal in Women's Monobob at 2026 Winter Olympics

In 2026, Elana Meyers Taylor won a gold medal in the women's monobob event at the Winter Olympics, becoming the oldest gold medalist in any Winter Olympics individual event at age 41.