Four hundredths of a second. That's the difference it took to fulfill a 16-year-old dream. And for Elana Meyers Taylor, winning the gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics was a defining moment.

“It was like peak human expression of just joy... It has been so much joy. I have been on both sides of this, and now I am on the other side. And just to have that moment, I was so excited. I could not believe it happened, and still to this day I cannot believe it happened. I can’t believe I am actually an Olympic champion.” Taylor told CBS’s Seth Doane.

This victory now makes her the most decorated U.S female bobsledder of all time, adding to her three silver and two bronze medals she managed to win across five Olympics.

The American edged out Germany’s Laura Notle by just 0.04 seconds and fellow compatriot with whom she has shared the podium in all five Olympic Games, Kaillie Humphries, by 0.12 seconds. 

“Even a kilogram underweight, a different placement, your head a little bit lower in the sled. There’s so many different ways you can think of to come up with four-hundredths. And the fact that it all came together and the clock was in my favour was really cool.” The four-time World champion added.

With this victory, Taylor also claimed the title of the most decorated U.S. woman in Winter Olympics history, tying the record with speed skater Bonnie Blair.

Elana Meyers Taylor on her sons witnessing her historic achievement

The moment became Elana, with her sons coming in Milan, watching her win.

“The funny thing is, I was so close to winning it in ‘14 and ‘18, and now I know its for this moment because it was meant for this moment to be shared with my sons. And that’s what means more than anything to me. Its not necessarily the colour on my neck, although I love it, but its sharing that moment with both sons now.” Meyers Taylor told CBS News.

In an event that could even be her last on the big stage, Meyers Taylor managed to achieve her dream.

Read more at She Got Game!

Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar