PARK CITY, Utah — A familiar and trusted voice from Park City will be making her way to Italy this winter as Michele Roepke, a seasoned journalist with a deep passion for winter sports, prepares to cover the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Roepke, who has cultivated a strong connection with the local sports community, will be on-site throughout the duration of the Games, delivering regular updates and insightful stories from competition venues and host towns. Her coverage will particularly emphasize athletes with ties to Park City, allowing the local community to engage with their achievements on an international stage. "I’m excited to be headed off to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games," Roepke expressed, highlighting her enthusiasm for the upcoming event. This will not be Roepke's first experience at the Olympics; she previously served as a venue PA announcer during the Torino Games in 2006, where she announced events for bobsled, skeleton, and luge. Notably, she was part of what was thought to be one of the first husband-and-wife announcing teams in Olympic history, alongside her husband, who is a former U.S. Luge Team athlete and has announced at nine Olympic events, including those for Summer, Winter, Paralympic, and Youth categories. Roepke's family background is steeped in competitive snow sports. One of her children has achieved the title of Junior National Champion and even foreran at the Junior World Championships, while another child has been a member of the U.S. Ski Team, also competing at the Junior World Championships. This family connection to winter sports provides Roepke with a unique perspective that enriches her storytelling. Her Olympic credentials extend beyond her role as an announcer. Roepke was also involved in the 2006 Paralympic Games, where she served as the solo announcer for alpine skiing. This experience, which resonated deeply with her, allowed her to witness gold medal moments achieved by athletes from Park City, all while she was actively engaged with the National Ability Center. "We had gold medal moments happening by athletes in real time from Park City — from Deer Valley — halfway around the world," Roepke recalled, emphasizing the significance of her involvement in both local and global sports narratives. Roepke's extensive experience in sports journalism also includes her work at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic and Paralympic Games, where she documented the inspiring journey of a Paralympic alpine skier whose efforts culminated in both a silver and a gold medal. Reflecting on her upcoming trip, Roepke noted, "To be going back to Italy feels very full circle. I’ve watched the Olympics occurring in so many different countries, but Italy holds a special place." As she prepares to cover the Games, Roepke emphasizes the importance of readiness and adaptability in the fast-paced Olympic environment. "You have to be ready for every moment," she stated. "Everything needs to be charged and ready to go, because you never know when the moment is going to happen. I want to capture every frame, every video, every photo, and send that back to Park City as quickly as possible so the community can share in it." Her commitment to Park City is central to her reporting mission. Roepke pointed out the city’s unique concentration of elite winter sports organizations, including the Youth Sports Alliance, the National Ability Center, U.S. Ski & Snowboard headquarters, and Deer Valley’s annual World Cup events. Additionally, the Utah Olympic Park, which features a bobsled, luge, and skeleton track, plays a pivotal role in training athletes who often go on to compete at the highest levels. "Park City is truly unique," Roepke said. "Athletes get their start here, go far here, and athletes from all over the country and the world come through to train and compete here." This profound connection reinforces her dedication to highlighting the accomplishments of local athletes and fostering community spirit through her reporting. For residents of Park City and beyond, TownLift will be the platform where Roepke's on-the-ground reporting will be featured throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Her stories will serve as a bridge, connecting the local community to the global stage of winter sports as she sends updates, interviews, and insights back home from Italy. Roepke’s coverage promises to encapsulate the excitement and drama of the Games, all while fostering a sense of pride in Park City's contributions to the world of winter sports.