Healthcare Challenges Surrounding the 2026 Winter Games

The 2026 Winter Games will represent one of the most geographically dispersed editions in the history of the event, spanning more than 22,000 square kilometers across the host locations in Italy, including Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, Bormio, Anterselva, Tesero, Predazzo and Verona.

With over 3,000 athletes from more than 90 countries, thousands of accredited media professionals and an expected 2 million visitors, the scale of the Games brings an exceptional level of medical, logistical and environmental complexity.

Although Italy is generally considered a low-risk country, the unique characteristics of this event significantly amplify risk and demand a heightened level of preparedness.

A High-Stakes Environment Beyond Business as Usual

Large-scale sporting events are never “business as usual”. The influx of visitors, limited familiarity with local rules and customs, and the challenging Alpine environment collectively increase health and security risks. Unlike cities fully designed to absorb such spikes, several of the host locations are small mountain towns in which infrastructure, such as transport, healthcare facilities, and emergency response capabilities, can quickly become overloaded.

Unpredictable winter weather, extreme temperature variations and operations at high altitude further complicate the environment. This combination requires organizations to anticipate disruptions, prepare contingency plans, and ensure robust medical and security support frameworks are in place.

Key Health Challenges

• Accidents in Mountainous Terrain: Most competition venues lie in the Alps, an area where winter conditions naturally elevate the risk of accidents. Icy surfaces, heavy snowfall, steep terrain and narrow mountain roads can affect not only athletes but also visitors, staff and contractors. Even routine movements, such as walking on ice, can result in injuries. Because many facilities are distant from major hospitals, the transfer of injured individuals may be slow and complex. Helicopter evacuations may be the fastest option, but those who need to follow injured colleagues or family members could be unable to accompany them. Travel times by road can stretch from minutes to hours depending on conditions.
• Limited Access and Transport Constraints: Stretched road networks and variable weather may impede ambulances and emergency responders. A single accident or blocked road can temporarily isolate communities or delay the movement of patients. For those hospitalized in remote facilities, discharge and onward travel can also be challenging due to road closures or restricted mobility. These infrastructural constraints underline the importance of robust evacuation planning, especially for organizations responsible for large onsite teams.
• Seasonal Illness Outbreaks: The Games will take place during Italy’s seasonal flu peak. Winter viruses spread rapidly in shared accommodation settings, particularly among media crews and support staff working long hours in close quarters. The volume of people in circulation increases the likelihood of flu clusters or other communicable diseases.
• Food-Related Incidents: Food poisoning incidents at large events are not uncommon due to mass catering, high turnover and number of attendees. Past global events have demonstrated how foodborne illness can affect dozens of people simultaneously, disrupting operations and requiring coordinated medical response.
• Hypothermia and Frostbite: High-altitude venues and extreme winter temperatures elevate the risk of exposure-related conditions. Extended waiting times outside venues, delays caused by security queues or transport disruption, and prolonged shifts for staff working outdoors can contribute to these risks.
• Mental Health and Stress: Beyond physical health concerns, the demanding nature of the Winter Games environment can also have a significant emotional impact. Individuals who experience incidents, such as accidents or security-related events, often face considerable mental strain. The stress of being far from home, working in an intense and unfamiliar setting, or dealing with an unexpected disruption can affect wellbeing.

Public Healthcare Pressure and Minor Emergencies

While severe trauma cases are a key concern, minor medical issues are, in reality, more frequent. Cold-related issues, respiratory infections, and even minor injuries can quickly escalate without immediate access to medical advice. Language barriers can make navigating local healthcare systems significantly more difficult.

Health and Security Considerations

Health and security risks are deeply interconnected. A pickpocketing incident may result not only in theft of valuables but also in loss of essential medication or identity documents needed to access medical services. Falls resulting from such incidents can cause injury, and emotional distress may require psychological support. This interdependence makes an integrated medical and security approach critical.

How International SOS Supports Organizations During the Games

International SOS has undertaken extensive preparations for the 2026 Winter Games, beginning with comprehensive onsite assessments of venues and healthcare providers. Leveraging both global expertise and strong local presence, International SOS offers comprehensive medical and security support. 

1. Local Expertise and Continuous Coordination

• Regular assessments of local healthcare facilities and emergency capabilities.
• An established network of vetted medical and security providers across all host regions.
• A fully operational Assistance Centre in Milan, staffed by multilingual medical and security professionals.

2. Medical Assistance and Onsite Clinical Support

International SOS can deploy onsite clinics for organizations with large delegations or production teams. These clinics provide:

• Immediate care for minor injuries and routine consultations.
• A senior health coordinator as a single point of contact for all medical needs.
• Pre-event site visits, verification of emergency access points and medical logistics planning.
• Coordination of referrals when external care is required, ensuring continuity of support

3. Security Support and Real-Time Risk Monitoring

International SOS provides:

• Security risk assessments tailored to locations, profiles and itineraries.
• Guidance on transport options, route planning and crowd-management considerations.
• Support in arranging secure transport and executive protection where required.
• 24/7 global threat monitoring through its dedicated intelligence teams.
• Alerts and real-time updates delivered via the Assistance App, online portal and email.
• Advice and support in the event of protests, transport disruptions or opportunistic crime.

4. Integrated Response and Contingency Planning

International SOS applies a structured framework, used across numerous major global events, that can be adapted to support organizations during the 2026 Winter Games. This framework includes:

• Early coordination with all parties involved in supporting the Games to ensure clear communication channels.
• Clear definition of governance and decision-making structures so organizations know who is responsible for key actions, how risks are escalated and which response measures to apply.
• Integrated medical and security risk assessments based on intelligence, situational awareness and an understanding of participants’ profiles and itineraries, enabling organizations to allocate resources and adapt as risks evolve.
• Predefined, tiered response levels that guide organizations in reacting appropriately to different scenarios, ensuring rapid and proportionate decision-making in a context that is not business as usual.
• Operational readiness through preparation and exercises to ensure that people, resources and plans are aligned and tested before the Games begin.

Conclusion

The 2026 Winter Games will present a unique combination of environmental, logistical and medical challenges due to their scale, geography and timing. By combining global expertise with strong local presence, International SOS is equipped to support organizations in protecting their people and ensure business continuity.

Over the years, International SOS has supported organizations during major global events including multiple Football World Cups and both Summer and Winter Games, building extensive experience in managing the complex medical and security risks associated with large-scale international competitions. Through integrated medical and security assistance, onsite capabilities, real-time monitoring and robust planning frameworks, International SOS provides the assurance needed to navigate this complex event safely and successfully.

If you would like to receive more information about how we can support you during the 2026 Winter Games, please contact us at italy@internationalsos.com.