American bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor has etched her name in sports history by winning her first Olympic gold medal at the age of 41. In a thrilling competition in the monobob event at the Cortina d'Ampezzo track, the decorated athlete managed to overtake Germany's Laura Nolte, who had led after three runs. The podium was completed by another U.S. representative and the winner's contemporary, Kaillie Humphries, confirming the dominance of experienced athletes.

Historic triumph of a veteran

41-year-old Elana Meyers Taylor won her first Olympic gold, becoming the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympic history with six medals.

Minimal difference at the finish line

The American overtook leading German Laura Nolte by just 0.04 seconds after the fourth run, making up for a deficit from the first half of the competition.

Podium dominated by mothers

Both the gold medalist and the bronze medalist Kaillie Humphries (age 40) are experienced athletes combining sport with motherhood.

The women's monobob competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics delivered outcomes that will long remain in fans' memories. The main heroine of Monday's events was Elana Meyers Taylor, who in her fifth Olympic appearance clinched the coveted gold. The experienced American, already with five medals from previous Games, only now stood on the highest step of the podium. The success is even more spectacular as Meyers Taylor achieved this at the age of 41, becoming one of the oldest champions in bobsled history. The battle for victory lasted until the final meters of the ice track in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The monobob event, involving single-person bobsleds, debuted in the Olympic program relatively recently, at the 2022 Beijing Games, to increase opportunities for smaller federations to participate. The situation before the final run was extremely tense. The home favorite and leader after three runs, Germany's Laura Nolte, held a 0.14-second advantage over the American. However, Meyers Taylor delivered a flawless fourth run, capitalizing on minor technical errors by her rival. Ultimately, the American won by a mere 0.04 seconds. The bronze medal was secured by another U.S. representative, 40-year-old Kaillie Humphries, who finished 0.12 seconds behind the winner. This result is historic for another reason—Meyers Taylor matched the record of six Winter Olympic medals held by speed skating legend Bonnie Blair. „It was a long process, five Games full of ups and downs, but this moment makes every second of sacrifice worth it.” — Elana Meyers Taylor The victory of two athletes in their forties—Meyers Taylor and Humphries (who defended her title from Beijing)—is considered exceptional in a sport requiring such immense explosive strength and precision. German media did not hide their disappointment with Nolte's performance, who let gold slip from her grasp at the last moment. For Meyers Taylor, who is the most decorated Black sportswoman in Winter Olympic history, the triumph in Cortina crowns a career full of barriers, including a return to sport after motherhood. 0.04 s — Meyers Taylor's margin over the second-place athlete [{"position": 1, "name": "Elana Meyers Taylor", "info": "USA", "result": "3:58.24"}, {"position": 2, "name": "Laura Nolte", "info": "Germany", "result": "+0.04"}, {"position": 3, "name": "Kaillie Humphries", "info": "USA", "result": "+0.12"}]

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