2026 Winter Games: Ensuring Readiness, Duty of Care, and Business Continuity

In February and March 2026, Italy will host the Winter Games across multiple cities and alpine locations. Competitions, operations, and hospitality activities will be spread between major urban centers and remote mountain venues, making these Games among the most geographically dispersed in recent history.

This complexity, combined with winter weather, altitude, and increased population movement, creates a challenging environment for organizations operating on the ground.

Alongside public healthcare planning, companies hosting employees, executives, production teams, or guests must consider how they will ensure timely access to medical care, protect wellbeing, and maintain continuity of operations throughout the event.

For many organizations, dedicated medical staffing becomes a key enabler not only of Duty of Care, but of operational resilience.

Why Dedicated Medical Support Matters During Major Events

Large-scale international events place additional pressure on local healthcare systems. Emergency services and hospitals are likely to experience increased demand, longer waiting times, and prioritization of critical cases. At the same time, organizations remain responsible for the health and safety of their people.

Dedicated medical staffing helps organizations bridge this gap by ensuring immediate access to qualified medical professionals who can assess and manage health issues as they arise. Minor and moderate conditions can be treated on site, avoiding unnecessary disruption to operations and reducing reliance on overstretched local healthcare services.

By addressing issues early, medical teams help limit downtime caused by illness or injury and support the continuity of teams operating in remote or high-demand environments. At the same time, a structured approach to medical oversight enables clear escalation pathways and informed decision-making when situations require additional support.

Winter conditions and mountainous terrain further increase risks such as slips and falls, altitude-related symptoms, respiratory infections, and delays in access to care. Without rapid medical support, even relatively minor incidents can disrupt critical workstreams or affect the availability of key personnel.

Having medical professionals embedded alongside operations allows issues to be addressed early, supports faster recovery, and helps individuals return to duty safely and efficiently.

An Integrated Medical Staffing Model, Not Just On-Site Care

Effective medical staffing for major events is not simply about placing clinicians on site. It requires coordination, governance, and the ability to escalate seamlessly when situations evolve.

International SOS supports organizations at complex global events through an integrated medical staffing approach that combines:

• On-site medical capability.
• Clear clinical governance and reporting.
• Direct linkage with global assistance and evacuation services.

This integration is a critical differentiator. On-site teams are never operating in isolation; they are continuously supported by International SOS Assistance Centers, medical directors, and a global provider network.

Delivering Care in Full Compliance with Local Regulations

All medical staffing solutions are delivered in full compliance with local laws and regulations. In Italy, this means working with registered healthcare professionals and partnering with local providers, while aligning care delivery with international clinical standards.

Every healthcare professional is carefully selected and vetted, with verification of licenses, qualifications, and language capabilities. Medical staff are also assessed for fitness to operate in demanding winter and alpine environments.

This combination of local compliance and international standards ensures that organizations receive high-quality, legally compliant care, delivered by professionals who understand both the local healthcare landscape and the expectations of international organizations.

Coordination and Oversight Through a Single Medical Lead

To ensure consistency and accountability, medical operations are coordinated through a single senior medical point of contact for the organization.

This role provides overall medical coordination and oversight for the organization throughout the event. It begins well ahead of operations, with pre-event preparation that includes site assessments, verification of emergency access routes, and alignment on medical and evacuation planning.

During the Games, the role ensures day-to-day medical readiness, maintaining visibility on clinical activity and the availability of resources as conditions evolve. It also acts as the central coordination point between medical teams, event organizers, security contacts, and the International SOS Assistance Centers, supporting timely decision-making and escalation when required.

Throughout the event, medical information and patient consent are managed with discretion and professionalism.

Centralized oversight supports smoother decision-making, clearer communication, and a more resilient medical response throughout the event.

On-Site Clinics and Mobile Medical Support

Where organizations host teams or guests in central locations such as hotels or compounds, on-site clinics provide a controlled and professional environment for care. These clinics are designed to address the majority of routine consultations and minor emergencies, helping to avoid unnecessary strain on local hospitals.

Supported by mobile medical capabilities, this approach allows care to follow operations, whether in urban centers or remote mountain venues, while maintaining consistent standards and reporting.

Continuous Monitoring and Informed Escalation

Medical activity during the Games is supported by structured monitoring and reporting, enabling organizations to understand emerging trends and adjust resources as needed.

Real-time coordination between on-site teams and Assistance Centers allows for rapid escalation when required, including specialist referrals, ambulance coordination, or evacuation planning.
At the conclusion of the event, consolidated reporting and debriefs provide valuable insights to support future planning and continuous improvement.

International SOS’ Global Infrastructure

On-site medical teams are backed by International SOS’ global infrastructure, including:

• The Milan Assistance Center, providing local expertise, Italian-speaking clinicians, and real-time support.
• A worldwide provider network, ensuring access to high-quality medical facilities across Italy.
• 24/7 medical and security intelligence, keeping organizations informed of evolving risks.
• Evacuation and repatriation capabilities, if required.

This end-to-end support ensures continuity of care, from first consultation to advanced treatment or international evacuation.

Preparing for the 2026 Winter Games

The scale, dispersion, and operating conditions of the 2026 Winter Games require organizations to plan beyond standard travel health support. Medical staffing enables timely care, operational continuity, and strong governance in a demanding environment.

Early planning allows organizations to define medical requirements, deploy appropriate resources, and integrate medical staffing into their broader health and security strategy, supporting their people before, during, and after the Games.

Over the years, International SOS has supported organizations during major global events, including multiple Football World Cups and both Summer and Winter Games. Through integrated medical and security assistance, on-site capabilities, real-time monitoring, and robust planning frameworks, International SOS provides the assurance needed to navigate complex international events safely and successfully.

Contact us

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.