Viesturs Koziols

Viesturs Koziols is a prominent member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) council, known for his involvement in key decisions affecting international ice hockey. Recently, he was in the news for announcing that Russia would not participate in the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics ice hockey tournament due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly following the invasion of Ukraine. This decision highlights the IIHF's stance on maintaining the integrity of international sports amidst global conflicts.