In what has become like a real-life version of ‘Cool Runnings,’ United States bobsledder Lauryn Williams became the first American woman ever to medal in both the Summer and Winter Games after she and teammate Elana Meyers grabbed silver in the women’s bobsled finals on Wednesday.
Winter Olympic bobsled results: More history for the United States
American bobsledder becomes first woman ever to medal in both the Summer and Winter Games.
Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
And, oh, how close they were to gold. Williams and Meyers finished with a total time of 3:50.71, just a tenth of a second behind first place Heather Moyse and Kaillie Humphries of Canada (3:50.61). Meyers and Williams were actually in the lead after their first two runs, but they lost some time after skidding out a couple of times in the following two runs, costing them gold.
Williams became the fifth Olympian to medal in both Olympics; she won gold and silver as a sprinter in three previous Summer Games appearances.
The Americans weren’t done making history for their country, either. Jamie Greubel and Aja Evans took bronze in the event with a total time of 3:51.61, making it the first time two U.S. teams have medaled in women’s bobsledding.
See More:
