Julia Kain­berger and Chris­tiane Loinig-Velik in action at the Olympic Games

For Kainberger, these will be her second Games under the five rings. In 2022, she worked as a linesman, while this year she will take to the ice as a referee at the women's tournament. She already attended a camp in Milan in December, where all relevant matters were covered.

“There are twelve of us referees in total, and we have also been in constant contact as a group over the past few weeks. The standard will be incredibly high. The women's tournament will be stronger than ever before, as body contact is now permitted in the European leagues as well. We are aware of that and are preparing accordingly. You have to be in peak physical condition,” says Julia Kainberger.

Christiane Loinig-Velik will serve as Medical Supervisor at the women's ice hockey tournament. These will be her first Olympic Games, about which she says with a smile: “I didn't make it there as a handball player. But now I have as a doctor.”

She will be supported on site by experienced colleagues such as Mike Stuart (USA), Mark Aubry (CAN) and Markku Tuominen (FIN). 

Christiane Loinig-Velik is a specialist in orthopaedics and traumatology as well as a specialist in trauma surgery. Alongside her role as medical director of the Olympic Centre, she is team doctor for the Austrian Women's National Football Team.

Loinig-Velik is not only the only woman on the IIHF medical committee; since 2018, she has also been one of only a few women worldwide to work as a Medical Supervisor at major IIHF ice hockey tournaments. In addition, she has held the IOC Diploma in Sports Medicine since 2022.

Both agree: “For every athlete, the Olympic Games are the ultimate. That is true for us as well. We are incredibly proud and it is a great honour.”

The Olympic Winter Games will take place in Milan and Cortina d´Ampezzo from 6 to 22 February 2026.

Olympic Games Women
Olympic Games Men