Dr. Leslie B. Vidal recently had the distinct honor of serving as a team physician for the U.S. Women’s Ski Team during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy.
“I was honored to have served as a team physician during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. An unforgettable experience with an incredible group of athletes and medical professionals.”
– Dr. Leslie B. Vidal
This prestigious international event brought together elite athletes from around the world to compete at the highest level of winter sport, and required world-class medical support behind the scenes.
The Role of an Orthopedic Surgeon at the Olympic Games:
At the Olympic Winter Games, orthopedic surgeons play a critical role in athlete care, performance optimization, and injury management. For high-speed, high-impact sports like alpine and freestyle skiing, the demands on the body are extraordinary.
As a team physician, Dr. Vidal’s responsibilities included:
Injury Evaluation & Acute Care:
- Rapid on-site assessment of musculoskeletal injuries
- Sideline and venue-based decision-making
- Coordination of imaging such as X-rays and MRIs
- Determining safe return-to-play timelines
Surgical Expertise & Consultation:
While most surgical procedures are performed outside of competition venues, an orthopedic surgeon provides expert consultation for injuries such as:
- ACL tears
- Meniscus injuries
- Shoulder instability
- Fractures and dislocations
Immediate stabilization and coordinated care planning are essential to protect both short-term performance and long-term athlete health.
Performance & Prevention:
Olympic-level orthopedic care goes beyond treating injuries. Surgeons collaborate with athletic trainers, physical therapists, and strength coaches to:
- Optimize biomechanics
- Reduce reinjury risk
- Monitor recovery from prior surgeries
- Implement evidence-based injury prevention protocols
At this level, even subtle adjustments can significantly impact performance.
Olympic Events Requiring Orthopedic Expertise:
The U.S. Women’s Ski Team competes in some of the most physically demanding winter sports, these include:
- Alpine Skiing at the Winter Olympics (downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super-G)
- Freestyle Skiing at the Winter Olympics (moguls, aerials, slopestyle)
- Snowboarding at the Winter Olympics (halfpipe, slopestyle, snowboard cross)
These events involve:
- High-speed descents exceeding 80 mph
- Powerful cutting and pivoting forces
- Significant airborne impact
- Extreme environmental conditions
The knees, shoulders, hips, and ankles are especially vulnerable, making orthopedic oversight indispensable.
Elite Sports Medicine on the World Stage:
Serving at the Olympics represents one of the highest levels of sports medicine. It requires not only advanced surgical knowledge, but also rapid decision-making under pressure. Collaborative teamwork is also required along with a deep understanding of athlete psychology.
Dr. Vidal’s participation in the Milano Cortina Games reflects her commitment to excellence in orthopedic care, from Olympic athletes to everyday patients. The same precision, preparation, and dedication she brings to the world’s biggest sporting stage are applied in her clinical practice.
