Born: 1984 (Oceanside, California)
Elana Meyers Taylor is an American Olympic bobsledder and World Champion who has made a significant impact on the sport and has become a role model for aspiring athletes. Born on October 10, 1984, in Oceanside, California, Elana Meyers Taylor was raised in Douglasville, Georgia.
Meyers Taylor’s journey to bobsledding began at The George Washington University, where she played softball and excelled on the field. However, her passion for athletics led her down a different path, and in 2007, she made her debut as a bobsledder.
In her early years in the sport, Meyers Taylor quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with. She won the silver medal in the bobsled two-woman event with Shauna Rohbock at the 2009 FIBT World Championships in Lake Placid, New York. This achievement marked the beginning of many more successes in her career.
In 2010, Meyers Taylor was selected to represent the United States at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Teaming up with Erin Pac, she earned a bronze medal in the two-woman bobsled event. Their impressive performance showcased Meyers Taylor’s skill and determination on the Olympic stage.
Throughout her career, Meyers Taylor has been a champion for women’s sports. In 2010, she received a grant from the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) Travel and Training Fund, which further fueled her drive to excel in bobsledding. Her dedication and achievements not only inspired other female athletes but also earned her a place on the WSF advisory board.
Meyers Taylor continued to make her mark in the bobsled world, teaming up with brake-woman Katie Eberling to secure a silver medal at the 2013 FIBT World Championships in St. Moritz. This success further solidified her position as one of the top bobsledders in the world.
At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Meyers Taylor paired up with Lauryn Williams, and together they claimed another silver medal in the two-woman bobsled event. Their impressive performance put them in a close second place, just behind their rivals from Canada.
Not content with excelling in a single sport, Meyers Taylor showcased her versatility by participating in the 2014 China Women’s Sevens with the United States women’s national rugby union team. Her ability to excel in multiple disciplines demonstrated her remarkable athleticism and determination.
In 2014, the Fédération Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing announced that mixed-gender crews would be allowed to compete in four-man bobsleigh. Meyers Taylor seized this opportunity, leading a four-man crew to a third-place finish in the US trials, securing a place on the US national team. She made history on November 15, 2014, alongside Kaillie Humphries of Canada, as the first women to compete with and against men in an international four-man bobsleigh competition.
In February 2015, Meyers Taylor achieved a significant milestone in her career by winning the first-ever world championship title in women’s bobsled for the United States. She, along with pusher Cherrelle Garrett, defeated three strong German crews, cementing their place in bobsledding history.
Beyond her remarkable accomplishments on the track, Meyers Taylor has become a leader and advocate for women in sports. Her role as the president of the Women’s Sports Foundation in 2019 allowed her to promote gender equality and provide opportunities for female athletes to thrive in their respective sports.
Elana Meyers Taylor’s determination, skill, and dedication have solidified her status as one of the greatest bobsledders of her generation. Her achievements on and off the track have not only inspired others to push beyond their limits but have also changed the landscape of women’s sports. With her continued passion and remarkable talent, Meyers Taylor’s legacy will undoubtedly inspire generations of athletes to come.
Awards:
– Silver Medal, Two-Woman Event, 2009 FIBT World Championships
– Bronze Medal, Two-Woman Event, 2010 Winter Olympics
– Silver Medal, Two-Woman Event, 2013 FIBT World Championships
– Silver Medal, Two-Woman Event, 2014 Winter Olympics
– Gold Medal, Two-Woman Event, 2015 FIBT World Championships