Elana Meyers Taylor is one of the greatest American bobsledders ever, the most decorated female pilot in the sport’s history, and the first mother to win Olympic bobsleigh gold.
Her success did not come out of nowhere. It started with strong support from her parents, Eddie Meyers and Janet Meyers.
Elana was born on October 10, 1984, in Oceanside, California. She grew up in Douglasville, Georgia, with her family. Her father, Eddie Meyers, is Black and comes from a proud athletic background.
He was a standout running back at the United States Naval Academy from 1978 to 1981. Eddie rushed for impressive numbers, including 1,318 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior year of 1981.
He led the team in scrimmage yards for three straight seasons and set school records that still stand out today.
After Navy, he played briefly for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL, but his military service as a Marine Corps captain delayed his full pro career. Later, he worked in banking as a regional president for PNC Bank in Georgia.
Her mother, Janet Meyers (often called Jan), played a quieter but very important role. Not much is shared publicly about Janet’s own background or career, but she was athletic herself.
She grew up before Title IX opened more doors for women in sports, so her opportunities were limited compared to Eddie’s.
Janet has been described as a guiding force and a powerhouse in Elana’s life. Both parents encouraged education and balance alongside sports.
Elana first loved softball. She even attended The George Washington University on a softball scholarship. When that path started to fade as a long-term option, her parents suggested something new.
They saw bobsledding on TV during the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics and told her to give it a try. Elana knew nothing about the sport at first, but she listened to Eddie and Janet. That simple suggestion changed everything.
Their push paid off quickly. Elana made the U.S. team for the 2010 Winter Olympics. She won bronze there with Erin Pac in the two-woman event.
More medals followed: silver in 2014 and 2018, plus strong showings in other years. In a big moment, she won gold in the women’s monobob at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, with a four-run total of 3:57.93, just 0.04 seconds ahead of Germany’s Laura Nolte and her U.S. teammate Kaillie Armbruster Humphries.
Elana has also broken barriers. She became the first woman to compete in men’s four-man bobsleigh events after rules changed in 2014. She won silver with Shauna Rohbock at the 2009 World Championships and even tried rugby sevens in 2014.
Now a five-time Olympian and a mother of two young sons (Nico and Noah, who are deaf), Elana often talks about family first.
Her parents’ athletic genes, encouragement, and belief helped her become a trailblazer. Eddie and Janet did not want her to face the hard side of pro sports, but they supported her fully when she found her calling.
Their influence shows in her grit, her drive, and her history-making career.
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