Elana Meyers Taylor facts for kids
Elana Meyers Taylor in 2019
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| Birth name | Elana Alessandra Meyers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | October 10, 1984 Oceanside, California, U.S. |
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| Height | 1.70 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 79 kg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Country |  United States |
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| Sport | Bobsleigh | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Elana Meyers Taylor is an amazing American bobsledder. She was born on October 10, 1984, in Oceanside, California. Elana grew up in Douglasville, Georgia. She is a World Champion and has won many medals at the Winter Olympics. Elana started competing in bobsledding in 2007. Before bobsled, she played softball at George Washington University.
Contents
Elana's Bobsled Journey
Elana Meyers Taylor has had a fantastic career in bobsledding. She has won many important races and medals.
Early Success
In 2009, Elana won a silver medal at the World Championships in Lake Placid, New York. She competed in the two-woman bobsled event with Shauna Rohbock.
She was chosen to be part of the U.S. team for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.
Olympic Debut in 2010
At the 2010 Winter Olympics, Elana Meyers Taylor and her teammate Erin Pac won a bronze medal. This was a huge achievement for her first Olympic Games!
World Championships and Olympic Medals
Elana continued to achieve great things. In 2013, she and Katie Eberling won a silver medal at the World Championships in St. Moritz.
Sochi 2014 Silver Medal
At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Elana and Lauryn Williams won a silver medal. They were very close to winning gold, finishing just a tiny bit behind the first-place team.
Making History in Four-Man Bobsled
In 2014, a new rule allowed women to compete in four-man bobsled races. Elana quickly learned how to drive a four-man sled. She made history on November 15, 2014. Elana and Kaillie Humphries became the first women to race against men in an international four-man bobsled competition.
First World Championship Gold
In February 2015, Elana and her teammate Cherrelle Garrett won the first-ever World Championship title for the United States in women's bobsled. This was a very special win!
Pyeongchang 2018 Silver Medal
Elana and Lauren Gibbs won another silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. They competed in the two-woman bobsled event.
Beijing 2022 Medals
Elana was chosen to be a flag bearer for the U.S. team at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. However, she couldn't attend the opening ceremony because she tested positive for COVID-19. Another athlete, Brittany Bowe, carried the flag for her. Elana still competed and won two more medals: a silver in monobob and a bronze in two-woman bobsled.
Elana's Life Outside the Track
Elana Meyers Taylor's life is about more than just bobsledding. She is also a dedicated student, wife, and mother.
Family and Education
Elana grew up in Douglasville, Georgia. Her father was a professional football player. After not making the U.S. Olympic softball team, she decided to try bobsledding.
She attended The George Washington University on a softball scholarship. The university has honored her many times for her achievements.
In April 2014, Elana married Nic Taylor, who is also an Olympic bobsledder and coach. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, they welcomed their son, Nico. Nico was born with Down syndrome.
Her Faith
Elana is a Christian. She believes her purpose in bobsledding is to help others and to honor her faith. She feels that God has a specific reason for her being in the sport, which is more than just winning medals.
Overcoming Challenges and Helping Others
Elana Meyers Taylor is known for her strength and for speaking up for what is right. She has faced many challenges and used her experiences to help others.
Dealing with Injuries
In 2014, Elana had a concussion while racing. Even though she recovered quickly and won a championship, her symptoms returned later. She took time to heal properly. In 2018, she announced that she would donate her brain to concussion research. This is to help scientists learn more and protect future female athletes. She has also recovered from a torn Achilles tendon.
Fighting for Equality
Elana is a strong voice for female athletes. She believes it's her job to fight for fairness for those who cannot. In 2019, she became the president of the Women's Sports Foundation. This organization works to help girls and women in sports.
In 2020, Elana spoke out about racism she has experienced in her bobsled career. She shared stories of unfair treatment. Her article led to an investigation by the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation. Elana also started a workshop to help people share their experiences and learn how to stop discrimination.
See also
In Spanish: Elana Meyers Taylor para niños
