Elana Meyers Taylor, a triple Olympic bobsled medalist, is due to have her first child in March and will miss this bobsled season.
“It was always my dream to win two gold medals in the 2022 Olympics and place them around the neck of our child,” Meyers Taylor said, according to U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton. “When we were told by doctors that this might not be possible, I put all my efforts into winning two gold medals in 2022. However, they were wrong, and now I have the chance to live this dream. We are excited for our little miracle.”
Meyers Taylor and husband Nic Taylor, a veteran U.S. bobsledder, were married in April 2014 after meeting through the sport in 2011. They have competed together in international four-person bobsled races with Meyers Taylor driving.
Meyers Taylor earned Olympic bronze as a push athlete in 2010, then silver medals as a driver in 2014 and 2018. She also earned world titles in 2015 and 2017.
Meyers Taylor’s longtime Canadian rival, Kaillie Humphries, could also miss the season as she bids to switch representation to the U.S. A Canadian judge ruled against her on Tuesday, though U.S. Bobsled has said it would welcome her should she be released from Bobsleigh Canada.
German Mariama Jamanka, the surprise PyeongChang Olympic gold medalist, has taken over as the world’s top driver, winning last season’s World Cup and world championship titles.
The World Cup season starts in late November.
MORE: Kaillie Humphries loses bid to bobsled for U.S.
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🔉SOUND ON 🔉 I will be taking the 2019/20 winter season off but remain committed to standing on top of the podium for the 2021 World Championships in Lake Placid, NY, and the 2022 Winter Olympics! @usabs @teamusa @ibsfsliding @nbcolympics @WomensSportsFdn #MomtoBe #babyshark pic.twitter.com/ooPJ5lUxEF
— Elana Meyers Taylor OLY (@eamslider24) September 18, 2019