STORY BY HEATHER FOSTER AND KAREN BOSSICK
A community-wide celebration honoring Sun Valley’s 2026 Olympians and Paralympians will be held on Friday, July 17.
The celebration will be held from 5:15 to 8 p.m. July 17 at Champions Meadow and Ketchum Town Square.
It is being hosted by the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation and the Cities of Ketchum and Sun Valley.
The schedule:
5:15 p.m. Seven-time Paralympic medalist Muffy Davis will welcome the community.
5:30 p.m. Athletes, coaches and community members will take part in a parade to Ketchum Town Square.
5:45 p.m. Olympians, Paralympians, coaches and community leaders will make remarks and special presentations.
6:15 p.m. The Portland-based Running with Scissors will conclude the evening with classic rock covers.
6:30-8:30 p.m. Athletes will sign autographs while attendees partake of food from Sawtooth Brewery’s Outpost Food Truck and Leroy’s Ice Cream.
“The Games are such a unique experience, but some of the most meaningful moments come afterward,” said Chase Josey, three-time Olympian. “Coming home and celebrating this achievement with the community that’s supported me from the very beginning is an honor and an exciting part of the journey."
Added Paralympian Jesse Keefe: “My experience at the Games came with a lot of highs and lows. It left me with some frustration, but even more motivation to keep working and pushing forward. The support from this community has meant so much to me. I’m excited to celebrate in July, reconnect with everyone, and thank the people who have helped me get to where I am.”
Josey and Keefe are among eight athletes with ties to the SVSEF and the Wood River Valley who competed on the world stage at the 2026 Milano-Cortina games. Athletes being recognized are three-time Olympian Chase Josey; four-time Paralympian and eight-time medalist Jake Adicoff; two-time Paralympian Jesse Keefe; John Steel Hagenbuch; Sammy Smith; six-time Paralympian Laurie Stephens; Ryder Sarchett; and Peter Wolter, who served as Adicoff's guide and is a member of the SVSEF Cross Country Gold Team.
Five-time Olympian and four-time Olympic medalist Hilary Knight, who helped lead Team USA to Olympic gold in Italy, has also been invited to be recognized. Attendance by Smith, Wolter, and Knight is subject to travel, training, and professional commitments.
The event will also recognize members of Team USA's coaching and technical staff from the Wood River Valley, including Andy Gilbert, Austin Savaria, Peter Holmes, Sam Wood, and Graham Watanabe.
“As a former athlete from this amazing community, I know how meaningful these public recognitions are for both the athletes and our community as a whole,” said Davis. “I’m excited to celebrate these athletes, recognize their outstanding accomplishments, and show them how proud we are of all they’ve achieved.”
The Sun Valley area has long been recognized as one of the nation's premier winter sports communities, producing Olympians, Paralympians, national team athletes, and elite coaches across multiple disciplines. From alpine skiing and snowboarding to cross-country skiing and adaptive sport, SVSEF and the broader Wood River Valley community have helped cultivate generations of athletes who have competed at the highest levels of international competition.
“This community has always rallied behind its athletes,” said Scott McGrew, SVSEF Executive Director. “We hope everyone will join us in celebrating not only the remarkable performances in Milano-Cortina, but also the dedication, perseverance, and community spirit that make this place so special.”
Added Ketchum Mayor Pete Prekeges: “For generations, athletes and coaches from the Wood River Valley have represented our community on the international stage with determination, sportsmanship, and excellence. This celebration is an opportunity for all of us to come together and recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of these Olympians, Paralympians, and coaches who continue to inspire the next generation.”