Luc Tardif is set to leave his role as president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) after five years, deciding not to run for re-election. His successor, to be named on Friday, will take on the challenge of continuing Tardif’s work in international ice hockey. Tardif previously served as president of the French Ice Hockey Federation and joined the IIHF in 2008 as a member of its competition committee. He became a member of the Council in 2010 and was appointed treasurer in 2012, also leading the finance committee. In 2021, he ran for the presidency against four other candidates: Henrik Bach Nielsen, Petr Briza, Sergej Gontcharov, and Franz Reindl. After four rounds of voting, he won with 63% of the vote, defeating Reindl. During his time as president, Tardif focused on reviving the IIHF's activities after the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. He worked with the National Hockey League (NHL) to ensure top players would participate in the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, a goal that had faced challenges in previous Olympic games. The tournament met expectations, and NHL players are expected to return for the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Utah. Tardif also oversaw the IIHF's efforts to expand the sport to countries not traditionally associated with ice hockey and promoted the development of 3×3 ice hockey, a faster-paced version of the game played on a smaller rink. He hopes this format will be included in the Olympic program in the future, citing its success at the Youth Olympics in 2020 and 2024. He noted that formats like rugby sevens, basketball 3×3, and beach volleyball are more accessible for younger generations and developing countries, as many ice rinks are not large enough to host traditional competitions. Demonstrations of 3×3 ice hockey have been held in regions such as South America. Now 73, Tardif plans to spend more time with his family after stepping down but will remain involved in the sport, including participating in the 2028 World Championships in Lyon and Paris and the preparations for the 2030 Winter Olympics. He has been inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame and emphasized the need to make way for younger leaders, stating that he has always stopped before reaching the limits of his capacity in both professional and hockey contexts.