Arthur Lussi: from FISU athlete to games host

Arthur Lussi competed at the Štrbské Pleso 1987 FISU World University Games in alpine skiing. However, his first memories of the biennial multisport event date all the way back to 1972, when he walked alongside the Japanese flagbearer at the opening ceremony of the Games held in Lake Placid.

“I was awestruck,” said Lussi when explaining the emotions he remembers. “I knew I wanted to be one of those athletes someday, that could go to an event with people around the world.”

He was selected to represent the USA 15 years later at Štrbské Pleso, in slalom and giant slalom.

“I’d never really got a U.S. uniform before,” said Lussi about the start of his trip to Europe.

His dream of competing at international Games came true in February of that year.

“I’ll never forget going through the finish line the first race and looking at 12,000 fans. Also seeing the board with your name, country and time was something special.”

The University Games tradition of exchanging pins was already present back then. It is something that connects athletes from around the world. At that time Team USA made a small twist.

“We exchanged our U.S. hats with Polish sweaters, which I still own. It really is a good memory to look back at.”

Fast forward another 35 years, Lussi was a torchbearer on Thursday at the Lake Placid 2023 opening ceremony held at the historic Herb Brooks Arena, accompanied by his daughter Nina, herself an accomplished ski jumper.

It seems the FISU Games have been following him his entire life.

“Stronger body, stronger mind” is the philosophy he believes in. “People say that you can’t be a great athlete and a great student. I don’t believe in that. Athletes competing at the University Games or on the international level, you can do both.”

Today, Lussi, who grew up in Lake Placid, is the owner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel – the official FISU hotel for these Games. Over the years he did every possible job at the hotel and learned a lot.

And behind every successful man there is a successful team.

“I’m lucky because I have sisters who help me. It’s never just one person, it’s a family. And my parents, incredibly, are still involved.”

Written by Miha Trošt, FISU Young Reporter