The Douglas County Board of Commissioners and the City of Douglasville will host a grand celebration to honor 5-time U.S. Olympic medalist Elana Meyers Taylor. Taylor made a permanent mark on winter sport with her wins in Beijing this year, becoming the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympic history.
“Emmy award winning television personality Karyn Greer has been in the television news market for 32 years and Douglas County Board of Commissioners is honored to have her serve as Mistress of Ceremonies,” said Dr. Romona Jackson Jones, Chair of the Douglas County BOC.
Taylor will be recognized during a special meet and greet at 5:00 p.m. followed by a press conference at 5:30 p.m. The program for the general public will occur on the first floor inside of Arbor Place Mall, 6700 Douglas Blvd, Douglasville, GA., near the entrance to Belk Department store on Friday, March 18.
"Mrs. Taylor serves Douglas County and America as a true hometown hero. We are thrilled at how she overcame obstacles and braved the adversity she faced through her travels to Beijing, and she was still able to experience victory for all of us cheering her on, Chairman Dr. Romona Jackson Jones said. "As we celebrate women's history month, we're honored at her resilience, dedication, and huge successes she has reached in competing at the highest levels possible."
Meyers-Taylor, who is 37, won a silver medal in the debut of the women's monobob and a bronze in the two-women bobsled competition, taking home two medals at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Previously, she had won silver in 2018 in PyeongChang, another silver in 2014 in Sochi, and a bronze in 2010 in Vancouver.
"We are so very proud of our hometown girl and her exceptional performance at the Winter Olympics, but more importantly, we are very proud of her new role as a mother and how she and her husband show love for their son."
The 2022 Winter Olympics did have its challenges for Elana Meyers Taylor before the Opening ceremonies. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 and had to stay in a hotel room until she was cleared after testing negative twice.
