The largest Latvian team ever—including 57 athletes and 14 coaches—has been confirmed by the Latvian Olympic Committee for participation in 20th Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.
The committee announced the selection during a Jan. 25 press conference in Rīga. (The International Olympic Committee allowed Latvia one more spot on Feb. 6, adding shorttrack skating to the country’s list of sports and bumping the total number of athletes to 58.)
In all, the delegation will consist of 98 individuals. Besides the athletes and coaches, the delegation is to include nine medical personnel, 11 administrative and technical workers, and six guests of honor.
The Winter Olympics are scheduled Feb. 10-26.
The Latvian competitors going to Torino include:
- Biathalon athletes Jānis Bērziņš, Anžela Brice, Ilmārs Bricis, Gerda Krūmiņa, Kristaps Lībietis, Madara Līduma, Edgars Piksons, Linda Savļaka and Raivis Zīmelis.
- Bobsled athletes Mihails Arhipovs, Māris Bogdanovs, Intars Dīcmanis, Daumants Dreiškens, Gatis Gūts, Jānis Miņins, Jānis Ozols, Ainārs Podnieks, Reinis Rozītis and Mārcis Rullis.
- Skeleton athletes Martins Dukurs.
- Luge athletes Aiva Aparjode, Kaspars Dumpis, Anna Orlova, Guntis Rēķis, Mārtiņš Rubenis, Andris Šics, Juris Šics and Maija Tīruma.
- Alpine skiers Ivars Ciaguns and Renārs Doršs.
- Cross-country skiers Oļegs Andrejevs,Valts Eiduks, Oļegs Maļuhins and Intars Spalviņš.
- Hockey players Ģirts Ankipāns, Armands Bērziņš, Igors Bondarevs, Aigars Cipruss, Viktors Ignatjevs, Artūrs Irbe, Rodrigo Laviņš, Vladimirs Mamonovs, Edgars Masaļskis, Sergejs Naumovs, Aleksandrs Ņižvijs, Grigorijs Panteļejevs, Georgijs Pujacs, Miķelis Rēdlihs, Arvīds Rēķis, Agris Saviels, Aleksandrs Semjonovs, Kārlis Skrastiņš, Jānis Sprukts, Leonīds Tambijevs, Atvars Tribuncovs, Herberts Vasiļjevs, Māris Ziediņš and, in reserve, Mārtiņš Cipulis, Aleksandrs Macijevskis, Sandis Ozoliņš and Krišjānis Rēdlihs.
- Shorttrack skater Evita Krievāne, who was added Feb. 6 after the International Olympic Committee accepted the Latvian Olympic Committee’s request.
Four years ago, the Latvian squad competing in the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, did not come home with any medals. The ice hockey team finished ninth and the men’s bobsled teams and women’s luge competitors finished in the top 10.
(Updated 07 Feb 2006)
© 1995-2024 Latvians Online
Please contact us for editorial queries, or for permission to republish material. Disclaimer: The content of Web sites to which Latvians Online provides links does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Latvians Online, its staff or its sponsors.
Good Luck to all the Latvian Athletes. In Canada we are always cheering for you!!! Go Team Latvia GO!!!!!!!!!!
Although Mark Kastrud got cut from the Latvian Luge Team we are still rooting for you! Go Latvia!!!
Go Latvia! Get up there in the Hockey! I’ll be cheering 4 you from Australia, becasue we can never get a team to Qualify!!!
I’ll be rooting for Latvia against the US hockey team on the 15th; there is nothing I’d like to see more than Latvian gold this winter. Go Latvia!
GO LATVIA!!!!! I AM PROUD TO BE LATVIAN!!!!! YOU GUYS WILL SO ROCK!!!
I hope we can bring home some medals this winter. We are cheering for you from here in Florida. GO LATVIA!!!
Es redzēju ka Mārtins Rubenis labi cīnās. Lai Dievs svēti viņu un ņes godu sev un Latvijai. Novēlu visu labu!
EdvIns R.(Grobiņieks)
GOOD LUCK Latvian hockey. Hope to see you make it all the way and take home a medal. spert ēzelis armands!!!
HOOAH! Latvian and proud of it! GO Latjivas Republicas! Let’s take home some medals this year! HOOAH!
From Cherry Hill, NJ, Latvijas Uzvaras! Congrats to Martins, Go Hockey Team Latvija!
Good Luck Latvian Hockey and Igor Bondarevs from Huntsville, AL.
WOW
You Play your hearts out today boys!!!
From White Bear Lake Minnesota
From Haddonfield,NJ. Go LATVIA…Go!!!!!
I would like to wish all the LATVIAN athletes GOOD LUCK in Torino! I know many of us here in Toronto Canada will be watching!!
We’re cheering for Latvia here in Seattle! GO LATVIA!
Tiruma Maija is freaking hot omfg at least I think she is……
later and i hope she wins the luge………
BLACKEN…….
i am so proud of my latvian heritage, and the efforts of our olympic team.GO LATVIA!!!!!!