As the XXV Olympic Winter Games come to a close, a few things we will be certain to remember\u2026 although first, there may be some to forget\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One hopes to forget those unfortunate moments of controversy\u2026 such as the unusual question regarding male ski jumpers and how they allegedly used a few extra bodily injections to create a bit of a crotch sail, improving their aerodynamics\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 or the heated dispute between Canada and Sweden, in which the Canadian curler was accused of \u201cdouble-touching\u201d the stone (illegally touching the stone after releasing it). While denying cheating despite circulating video that appeared to show otherwise, his expletive-laden response wasn\u2019t so helpful in making him either believable or even respected\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 but also the discrepancy in the ice dancer scoring, in which the French judge scored the French dancers unusually higher than the heavy American favorites, even though errors were obvious and he was an outlier of a judge\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn\u2019t just the controversy that we wish not to remember. There were also some notably lamentable performances, starting with American Lindsay Vonn, who had most of the world cheering for a hopeful Olympic comeback at age 41, but who then crashed only 13 seconds into the women\u2019s downhill skiing event\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 there was also the men\u2019s skater, heavily favored to win gold, Ilia Malinin \u2014 aka the self-named \u201cQuad God\u201d \u2014 who fell multiple times in the free skate, finishing a shocking 8th. Unlike the Canadian curler, no less, he was sensed to have handled the agony of defeat both respectfully and well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More fun to remember are the following\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 American Alysa Liu, who was thought to maybe be only the second or third best female representing the USA in her sport, turning heads and axels while winning the women\u2019s figure skating gold, jumping joyfully up and down, marking the first U.S. gold in the event since 2002. Her joy was contagious\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 or Norway’s Johannes H\u00f8sflot Kl\u00e6bo, who was simply amazing. He achieved what many would consider impossible \u2014 winning an unprecedented six gold medals in six different events \u2014 and prompting us all to join in the family celebration, when he embraced his 82-year-old grandfather and lifelong coach after the 50km victory. What another great joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But perhaps what this Olympic observer will most both celebrate and remember is the story of Team USA bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor. At 41, she captured her first-ever Olympic gold in the women\u2019s monobob (no doubt a fun word to say).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best part, though, wasn\u2019t the gold medal nor her age nor how she is now the most decorated US female bobsledder in history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best part \u2014 the most memorable part \u2014 was watching the reaction and joy of her family\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elana is married to former US bobsledder Nic Taylor. They have two sons, Nico, who is 5, and Noah, who is 3. Both children are deaf, and Nico has Down syndrome. The boys were both present at the 2026 games, watching their mother compete in the Olympics for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After finishing the race, Elana dropped to her knees and immediately signed “Mommy won!” to her boys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Noah was spotted in the stands signing “Mom” and \u201cchampion.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hugs were soon shared all around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Elana often describing her sons as her “biggest motivators,\u201d when we think of what\u2019s most memorable \u2014 coupled by our desire to focus on all that is good and right and true \u2014 how sweet to remember the story of Elana Meyers Taylor and her inspiring, most beautiful family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Way to go, Elana\u2026 way to go…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As the XXV Olympic Winter Games come to a close, a few things we will be certain to remember\u2026 although first, there may be some to forget\u2026 One hopes to forget those unfortunate moments of controversy\u2026 such as the unusual question regarding male ski jumpers and how they allegedly used a few extra bodily injections … <\/p>\n