Based on discussions with friends who have been medalists from International Olympiads more than once, there is no need of any real linguistic knowledge. Gener

Based on discussions with friends who have been medalists from International Olympiads more than once, there is no need of any real linguistic knowledge. General knowledge of language groups may be helpful, but often the problems were for some language used from <1k people. And usully you wouldn't have heard them at all, or would not have additional information where it is spoken.