PARK CITY, Utah — This winter, Park City Municipal is set to send a delegation of three key leaders to Italy to engage in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Observers Program. This initiative is viewed as a crucial step in the preparations for the upcoming 2034 Winter Games, which will return to Utah, a state that has a storied history with the Olympics. The delegation will consist of Mayor Ryan Dickey, Councilmember Tana Toly, and Acting City Manager Jodi Emery, who will represent Park City in this coordinated effort alongside more than 80 elected officials and civic leaders from across Utah. The Observers Program, established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), allows future host communities to gain firsthand insight into the operational intricacies involved in hosting an Olympic Games, providing invaluable lessons that can be applied to their own preparations. The focus of the program encompasses a variety of critical areas such as transportation, venue logistics, public safety, security, and mountain operations—each of which is anticipated to play a significant role in Park City’s involvement in the 2034 Games. Mayor Dickey emphasized the importance of this opportunity, stating, “As Mayor, a member of the 2034 Steering Committee, and Vice Chair of the Olympic Host Communities Committee, it’s my responsibility to learn directly from communities hosting the Games. That firsthand experience is essential to making smart, disciplined decisions at home as we prepare for 2034.” His commitment underscores the proactive approach that Park City is taking to ensure a successful Olympic experience. Park City has a rich Olympic legacy, having served as a vital venue during the 2002 Winter Olympics. The city is expected to play an equally prominent role in the upcoming Games, which will be hosted in various locations across Utah. The delegation will participate in Wave 3 of the Observers Program, which is based in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. This phase is particularly focused on mountain venues, logistics, security, and competition delivery—areas that are crucial for a successful Olympic event. During their time in Italy, the delegation will engage in a comprehensive itinerary that includes site visits, workshops, and behind-the-scenes discussions with Olympic organizers and representatives from other host communities. Tana Toly, who previously served as Park City’s liaison during the Olympic bid process, will take particular interest in exploring local benefits, regional partnerships, and the economic impacts of hosting the Games. “We want to ensure that the community sees tangible benefits from the Games,” Toly noted, highlighting the economic opportunities that major events can create for local businesses and workers. Acting City Manager Jodi Emery will focus on operational readiness and community engagement, two critical aspects that will ensure Park City is fully prepared to provide necessary services during the Games. With a municipal workforce of 350 individuals, Emery brings an operational perspective that will be essential in coordinating city services and managing the influx of visitors expected during the Games. Kelsey Berg, the Director of Government Relations for Utah 2034, remarked on the significance of the IOC’s Observers Program. She stated, “The IOC’s Observers Program gives community and resort leaders direct, practical insight into how the Games operate in real time. Participants engage with organizers, explore venue communities firsthand, and bring those lessons back to Utah as we prepare for 2034.” This hands-on experience is expected to greatly enhance the preparedness of Park City and other Utah communities as they gear up for the Winter Games. The practice of sending delegations to observe Olympic Games is not new. Similar trips were conducted ahead of the 2002 Winter Games, which were widely regarded as a success. More recently, representatives from Utah were present at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, where Utah’s successful bid for the 2034 Games was announced. This ongoing commitment to learning from past experiences reflects a strategic approach to ensure that the state is well-equipped to host a world-class Olympic event once again. As Park City prepares for its role in the 2034 Winter Games, this trip to Italy represents a pivotal moment. By learning from the ongoing preparations for the Milan-Cortina Games, city leaders aim to bring back valuable insights and best practices that will inform their efforts, ultimately benefiting the local community and enhancing the overall Olympic experience. The lessons learned during this Observers Program will be crucial as Park City aims to host an inclusive, successful, and environmentally sustainable Winter Olympic Games, building on its rich Olympic heritage while looking toward the future. As the countdown to the 2034 Winter Games begins, the proactive steps taken by Park City leaders signal a commitment to ensuring that the upcoming Olympic event will not only celebrate athletic excellence but also foster community engagement and economic growth for the region.