Women of Winter Wednesdays - Dr Larissa Trease

While athletes took their place on the start line at the Olympic Winter Games, a dedicated network of professionals works quietly behind the scenes to ensure they can perform at their best.

For Sport and Exercise Physician Dr Larissa Trease, the Milano Cortina Games were an opportunity to do exactly that.

Serving as Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the Australian Winter Olympic Team, Lari was based in Predazzo in Italy’s Val di Fiemme, working closely with Australia’s cross-country skiing team while supporting the health and performance of the broader team across the Games.

Snow Australia spoke with Lari about the privilege of working in elite sport’s biggest arena and the role medical staff play in helping athletes reach the start line ready to compete.

“My role is to support Chief Medical Officer Dr Donald Kuah, our medical team of six doctors and the broader Australian Winter Olympic Team with a focus on optimising health and performance,” Trease said.

Preparation for the Games begins well before the Opening Ceremony, with the medical team screening athletes and officials to help ensure they arrive healthy and ready to perform.

Once competition begins, their work shifts into full operation.

“We run medical clinics in each of the six villages and provide on-snow medical support to the athletes during competition,” she said.

“We bring all of our own medical supplies from Australia, including a PCR machine to help us identify and quickly manage any illnesses in our team.”

Lari also supports the team in anti-doping medicine, assisting with Therapeutic Use Exemption applications and managing the reporting of injury and illness data to the International Olympic Committee as part of its ongoing health research.

Based with the cross-country team in Predazzo, her days followed the rhythm of the competition schedule.

“We have a busy racing calendar during the Games, racing on the first and last days of competition and for seven other days across the two weeks,” she said.

“On race day I’m in our Australian team kitchen space when the athletes come in for coffee and breakfast to check in and make sure everyone is well.”

From there, Lari travels to the course with the first athlete and positions herself around the start and finish areas to assist if needed.

“I’m usually based at the start and finish to solve any issues before racing and provide recovery support immediately following competition,” she said.

“If an athlete is selected for doping control I will accompany them as an advocate.”

Afternoons and evenings are spent back in the Olympic Village medical room alongside team physiotherapist Dr Tim Retchford, focusing on recovery and ongoing care.

Even during the intensity of the Games, Lari makes time to stay active herself.

“All of this is interspersed with a few trips to the dining room for meals and some skiing or running for my own physical and mental health,” she said.

Despite the busy schedule, Lari describes the experience of working at the Olympics as both a privilege and a joy.

“It’s fantastic. It’s a privilege and a pleasure to support athletes at their pinnacle event and work in a team that is so cohesive, performance focused and supportive.

“Getting to meet and work with some of the athletes that I have supported for years over telehealth but never met in person was really special. The highlight for me is seeing athletes ready to perform, well and happy.”

Lari believes the work done behind the scenes should mostly remain unseen, but is essential to the success of the team. 

“There are so many ways that someone can contribute to winter sport in Australia and it’s important to celebrate the work of so many that goes into getting athletes to the Games. This includes those that work tirelessly in Australia but don’t get the opportunity to travel – they are still an essential part of the team and it’s success” she said.

“Any contribution to our winter athletes’ health and performance is important to celebrate and recognise.”

For Lari, the Milano Cortina Games were made even more memorable by the success of the Australian team.

“As a whole Australian Olympic Winter Team we’ve had our most successful Olympics ever,” she said.

“It’s amazing to share that with the athletes and officials who work so hard , in Australia and in long Northern Winters overseas, day in and day out to make it happen.”

After a packed start to 2026 that included work at the Canberra International Tennis Tournament and the Australian Open, Lari is now looking forward to a short break.

“I’m taking a couple of weeks off to recharge and spend time with family and friends,” she said.

And after experiencing the Games from behind the scenes, one thing remains clear: the ‘team behind the team’ plays a powerful role in helping athletes reach their moment on the world stage.