BY KAREN BOSSICK

Sun Valley didn’t even exist when the first Winter Olympics was staged at Chamonix, France, in 1924.

But Sun Valley has had a role in the Winter Olympics since its founding 90 years ago, with a slew of local athletes competing in alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, hockey, ski jumping, figure skating, biathlon, freestyle and snowboard at the Games.

That’s no less true this year, what with hockey phenom Hilary Knight, snowboarder Chase Josey, alpine skier Ryder Sarchett, and Nordic racers John Steel Hagenbuch and Sammy Smith heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina.

Kristine Bretall, the community engagement director at the Wood River Museum of History + Culture, has put together a panel of experts to offer a preview of what to look for in the Winter Games, which will kick off Feb. 6.

The program will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, at The Community Library in Ketchum.

Steve Porino, commentator for NBC Sports and Peacock, will be covering the women’s alpine competitions. And he will offer a look at what the venues will be like and who some of the top men’s and women’s racers will be.

Rick Kapala, former Head Nordic Coach for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, will offer a look at the Nordic competition, in particular Jessie Diggins, who is the most decorated American in Nordic competition.

Cynthia Knight will discuss her daughter Hilary’s experiences in four previous Olympics and outline what to look for during the U.S. ice hockey games.

Sun Valley Resort’s Ice Operations Director Soctt Irvine, who has worked with many of the Olympic skaters who headline Sun Valley on Ice shows, will discuss the United States’ strong medal hopes in figure skating.

And Andy Gilbert, who coached snowboarding for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation for 30 years, will offer his perspective on that sport, including whether he thinks Gold Medalist Chloe Kim’s shoulder injury will hold her back.

To reserve a seat to attend the presentation in person, go to https://thecommunitylibrary.libcal.com/event/16191656. The program will be livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/event/5673359. And it will be recorded to watch on the Library’s Event Archive.