The IOC Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Champions Award for Europe was received by Lubomira Kozanova at tonight’s European Olympic Family dinner during the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) Skopje 2025.
EOC President Spyros Capralos was joined in attendance by the President of the EYOF Skopje 2025 Organising Committee and the National Olympic Committee of North Macedonia Daniel Dimevski and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Timco Mucunski.
Ms Kozanova of Slovakia was the continental winner of the IOC GEDI Champions Awards for 2024, recognising her outstanding contribution as an advocate for women and girls’ inclusion in ice hockey.
Following a successful ice hockey career, Kozanova has championed projects aimed at supporting female players in their transition into coaching and leadership roles.
These projects have enabled athletes including Olympian Nicol Lucák Čupková and Iveta Frühauf Karafiatova to become coaches, while Zuzana Moravčíková and Edita Petrusová Raková have served as managers of national teams through initiatives led by Kozanova.
Since 2011, she has led on key initiatives to engage young girls in ice hockey, including the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) World Girls Ice Hockey Weekend and the organisation of several regional tournaments.
Ms Kozanova has also previously played important roles on the Slovakian NOC’s Equal Opportunities Committee and the IIHF’s Women’s Committee.
EOC President Spyros Capralos was joined on stage by the EOC Executive Committee member and Chair of the EOC’s GEDI Commission Anneke van Zanen-Nieberg to present the IOC GEDI Champions Award for Europe to Kozanova.
“Ms Kozanova is a trailblazer for women and girls in ice hockey,” President Capralos said.
“She has become a tireless advocate for the inclusion of women and girls in the sport, but her efforts go far beyond simply encouraging girls to play.
“Since 2011, she has worked passionately to engage young girls across Slovakia, leading initiatives such as the World Girls Ice Hockey Weekend, and organising many regional tournaments.
“Ms Kozanova has also championed projects aimed at supporting former female players in their transition into coaching and leadership roles. As in many sports, women remain under-represented in these areas, and her work is helping to close that gap.
“Ms Kozanova, on behalf of the EOC and the entire European Olympic family, we are proud to honour your dedication and impact.”
The IOC GEDI Champions are awarded annually to recognise outstanding individuals who have promoted the advancement of gender equality, diversity and inclusion in and through sport.
During the European Olympic Family dinner, President Capralos also presented gifts to President Dimevski and Minister Mucunski as sign of the EOC’s appreciation for hosting the EYOF.
