I would get the overall schedule and a breakdown specifically for each day (or even more detailed if available). Find out what the hierarchy is and support your immediate boss or manager. Who is in charge of getting each team ready? Make sure you communicate with these leaders and develop a good working relationship. Where are they gathering and how much time does it take to get each team into place? How are they getting from place to place with their gear? Will you have radio or phone communication or any type of communication? Get to know the site so you're familiar with where everything is. Things can get tense in a large event that needs to run on a schedule, so the more calm and prepared you are, the better (much like a show run).
Trust me, your stage manager skills will kick in: you'll pick up on things and ask/offer suggestions that are pro-active. It's funny how you can apply stage managment to lots of different events.
When we hosted sports in our venue, there was the overall production manager that was in charge of everything (who was an expert in the sport, too) and then "departments" in charge of their areas. Just as with any large event, everyone has their assignment and that's what makes it run.
Pick up a translation book for "travelers" since it has phrases and not just a dictionary with words. I've even seen some cool ones that have nothing but pictures that you point to, you may want this in addition. See if your local library or community college has any language CD's in Italian and start studying.
The event sounds really exciting and you'll do just fine!