For the 2014 Winter Olympics, a 50-person contingent from the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA), including several members of the board of directors, spent 14 days attending various events and competitions in Sochi, Russia. For Tiger Shaw, two-time Olympian and now President and CEO of the USSA, this meant the need to call in some expert help.
Shaw contracted Global Rescue, an international security support firm, to provide two 24/7 personnel to provide medical assistance and on-the-ground intelligence for the group in Sochi. After an early risk assessment determining the level of protection needed in Sochi, the two personnel reviewed routes and venues for potential risks, planning for different scenarios. They traveled to meet executives where they landed in Istanbul and escorted them to Sochi. While the USSA has no in-house security department, many on their board of directors do, and travel with executive protection services frequently.