She just recovered from COVID-19!
Elana Meyers Taylor just became the most decorated Black Winter Olympian in the Games’ nearly 100-year-history, People reports.
37-year-old Taylor set out for the Olympics prepared, unfortunately missing the opening ceremony due to a case of the coronavirus. She quickly recovered, coming back last weekend to compete in the two-woman bobsled competition, winning bronze alongside Sylvia Hoffman with a total time of 4:05.48.
While the win was exciting, it was also historic, making Taylor the most decorated Black Winter Olympian ever with five medals under her belt.
Elana Meyers Taylor is now the most decorated woman to ever compete in Olympic bobsled.
This run by @eamslider24 guaranteed medals for her team and propelled her to #WinterOlympics history. pic.twitter.com/TzTGj3v7GP
advertisement— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 19, 2022
“Elana Meyers Taylor is now the most decorated woman to ever compete in Olympic bobsled. This run by [Taylor] guaranteed medals for her team and propelled her to #WinterOlympics history,” the NBC Olympics tweeted.
Taylor previously took home medals in the 2010, 2014 and 2018 two-woman event, and the 2022 monobob event, according to Team USA.
.@eamslider24 is a game changer.
With a total of five medals, she is now the most decorated Black Olympian in #WinterOlympics history. pic.twitter.com/7ut1uMX1AJ
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) February 20, 2022
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Just before her historic win, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced that Taylor was chosen by her peers to serve as the American flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony at Beijing’s National Stadium. Since Taylor missed the opening festivities where she was also the designated flag bearer, the athlete said it was an honor.
“[I am] so honored to be named the Opening Ceremony flag bearer, but after not being able to carry the flag, it’s even more humbling to lead the United States at the Closing Ceremony…Congratulations to my fellow Team USA athletes on all their success in Beijing – I’m looking forward to carrying the flag with my teammates by my side and closing out these Games,” said Taylor.
The bobsled champion shared photos of her victorious moment, captioning the pictures, “No words…only gratitude. To all my family, friends, teammates, former teammates, coaches, support staff, and fans – thank you. Thanks be to God!”
Congratulations, Elana! Because of you, we can!
Photo Courtesy of Elana Meyers Taylor/Instagram