After five Olympic Games, Elana Meyers Taylor finally reached the top of the podium. The 41-year-old American athlete won gold in the monobob at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Monday, marking a historic achievement in her long and decorated career. Meyers Taylor first competed in the Olympics in Vancouver 2010. Since then, she has accumulated three silver medals and two bronze across two events: monobob and the two-woman bobsleigh. Her victory in Milan came down to the final run, where Germany’s Laura Nolte attempted to beat Meyers Taylor’s time of 3 minutes 57.93 seconds but fell short. This win makes Meyers Taylor the oldest-ever female Winter Olympic champion from the United States, a milestone highlighting her endurance, skill, and persistence. Nolte claimed silver, while 40-year-old Kaillie Armbruster Humphries of the US, also competing in her fifth Olympics, earned bronze. Both Meyers Taylor and Armbruster Humphries now hold the distinction of being the first women in their 40s to medal in Olympic bobsleigh history. “I thought it was impossible,” Meyers Taylor said after the race, reflecting on the long journey that spanned 16 years and five Olympic appearances. Before this triumph, Meyers Taylor was already the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympic history. She is also a four-time world champion. With this gold, she now has six Olympic medals, tying speed skater Bonnie Blair for the most medals won by a US woman in Winter Games history. “To have my name up there with Bonnie Blair, it doesn’t even make sense to me,” Meyers Taylor added. The rivalry between Meyers Taylor and Armbruster Humphries dates back to the inaugural Olympic monobob in 2022 in Beijing. Then, Armbruster Humphries won gold while Meyers Taylor took silver. Monday’s result confirms both athletes’ longevity and consistency at the highest level. They have now reached the podium in all five of their Winter Games appearances, with Armbruster Humphries having been part of the Canadian team in 2006 but not racing. The monobob competition, which debuted in 2022, continues to highlight thrilling head-to-head action. Meyers Taylor’s final run demonstrated remarkable precision, speed, and mental focus, overcoming the pressure of a tight contest with Nolte. Meyers Taylor’s achievement is not just a personal triumph but also a milestone for representation in winter sports. She has been a trailblazer for Black athletes in events traditionally dominated by other demographics. Her career success underscores the value of dedication and perseverance, proving that age is no barrier to Olympic glory. Monday’s results added another chapter to American Olympic history, showcasing both talent and resilience. Meyers Taylor’s gold medal in Milan will be remembered as the crowning moment of a career defined by persistence, excellence, and groundbreaking achievements.