Athletes arriving at the Winter Olympics experience intense pressure, making the work of volunteers and sponsors essential.

Star Valley is being represented by Lynette Johnson of Afton, who arrived in Italy on January 28 after being accepted as a volunteer for Team USA.

She shared her excitement saying, “I’ve always loved the Olympics. We all do! I just decided I really wanted to find a way to be a part of it somehow.”

As she was packing for the trip, she says she “got all the feels” as the reality of being part of the Olympic experience really set in. Her excitement from what she has already experienced was clear as she described the volunteer work she is actively a part of.

Johnson is part of a welcoming team for athletes called the Team USA Welcome Experience (TUWE) . During her first shift on January 30, she helped welcome the speed skating team, women’s hockey, and figure skating. “It was so cool to see these athletes be so grateful for everything and so excited to be at the Olympics!”

Johnson has been in the thick of volunteering and highlighted the immense efforts from volunteers and sponsors to welcome Team USA in the Sheraton Hotel in Milan. The entire conference area was set up for Team USA to help boost their spirits as they have all traveled to represent their country. She has specifically helped with collecting athletes’ sizes for gear distribution, assisting with arrivals, and helping take photos and videos.

“When the athletes first arrive, they ascend a big staircase together and we are all cheering for them and at the top of the stairs we have a surprise video of their friends and family wishing them good luck. Watching the athletes during this is pretty special.”

With the busy streets of Milan, Johnson described the atmospheric energy as “crazy,” with many people arriving from around the world. She shared how volunteers are ready and “it’s going to be a great Olympics!”

The experience has not been all work.

Johnson has been given opportunities to meet people, attend church, and enjoy gelato, which she wishes everyone could experience.

“Going to my church in a foreign country is one of my favorite things about traveling. And how interesting and good people are. It’s so fun to talk to people and hear their story.”

As she continues to volunteer and assist as a part of TUWE, Johnson shares how exciting it is to play a small part in the athletes’ journey saying, “They work so hard for years and then they are finally here—at the Olympics. They made it, and I get to witness a tiny part of that!”

She is the only one from Wyoming as a volunteer with TUWE and shares how she has had fun getting questions about the state and representing Star Valley.

She hopes others in the community “dream big” and don’t limit themselves to only small experiences. Maybe, one day, others will find themselves on a plane fulfilling those big dreams.