Steadman Clinic Physicians to Continue 50-Year Olympic Medical Legacy at 2026 Winter Games
A distinguished group of five physicians from The Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI) in Vail, Colorado, will carry forward a remarkable half-century tradition by providing medical support for Team USA at the upcoming 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy. This announcement marks the continuation of a legacy that began with the pioneering work of the late Dr. J. Richard Steadman, whose contributions fundamentally shaped modern sports medicine for elite winter athletes.
Continuing a Pioneering Olympic Tradition
The medical team traveling to Italy in early February includes orthopaedic surgeons Randy Viola, M.D., Thomas Hackett, M.D., Leslie Vidal, M.D., and Sonny Gill, M.D., alongside internal medicine physician David Kuppersmith, M.D.. Their selection represents the 13th consecutive Winter Olympic Games where Steadman physicians have provided medical coverage for U.S. Ski and Snowboard athletes, a streak that began with Dr. Steadman's first Olympic assignment at the 1976 Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria.
"It is one of the greatest honors we receive when our outstanding surgeons and physicians are selected to serve as United States team doctors at the Olympic Games," said Dr. Marc J. Philippon, Chairman of SPRI and Managing Partner of The Steadman Clinic. "Our longtime association with Team USA, the USOPC, and especially the U.S. Ski & Snowboard teams has been a part of our great history here in Vail."
Experienced Medical Team with Diverse Olympic Backgrounds
The physicians bring varied Olympic experiences to their 2026 assignments:
- Dr. Randy Viola will make his third consecutive Olympic appearance after serving in South Korea (2018) and Beijing (2022), leading medical care for the men's alpine team following more than 25 years as a U.S. Ski Team physician.
- Dr. Thomas Hackett prepares for his fifth straight Winter Games, having previously served in Vancouver (2010), Sochi (2014), Pyeongchang (2018), and Beijing (2022) as head physician for the U.S. Snowboard team.
- Dr. Sonny Gill will experience his first Winter Olympics as head physician for the U.S. Freestyle Ski team (moguls and aerials), a role he assumed in 2023.
- Dr. Leslie Vidal makes her Olympic debut as co-head team physician for the women's alpine ski team.
- Dr. David Kuppersmith returns for his second Olympic assignment as head internal medicine physician for U.S. Ski & Snowboard teams, having previously served in Beijing (2022).
Institutional Commitment to Athlete Health and Research
The Steadman Philippon Research Institute maintains significant Olympic connections beyond direct team coverage. SPRI is part of the U.S. Coalition for the Prevention of Illness & Injury in Sport and holds designation as one of just 11 International Research Centres for the Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health through its relationship with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Recently, SPRI helped sustain the 2026 SPRI-Borgen IOC Research Centre Training and Career Development Travel Award through support from longtime benefactor Bjorn Erik Borgen. This unique program provides training and career development opportunities for IOC researchers, further extending the institute's impact on global sports medicine.
"I know that our doctors are excited to continue their work with our fine athletes and help them achieve success in Italy this year," added Dr. Philippon, emphasizing the clinic's ongoing commitment to supporting American winter sports athletes at the highest competitive level.
The 2026 Olympic Winter Games will take place from February 6 to 22 in the Italian regions of Lombardy and Veneto, with competitions spread across Milano, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and several other venues. The Steadman physicians will be on hand throughout the Games to ensure American skiers and snowboarders receive world-class medical support as they compete for Olympic glory.
