FIL Mourns the Passing of Colin Hilton

The International Luge Federation is deeply saddened by the news of the sudden passing of Colin Hilton, President and CEO of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation (UOLF).

Colin dedicated more than two decades of his life to preserving and developing the legacy of Utah's 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games – ensuring that the Utah Olympic Park, the Utah Olympic Oval and Soldier Hollow Nordic Center remained not only intact, but vibrant and alive for athletes, coaches, families and communities. His belief that Olympic venues should be used, not merely preserved, shaped everything he did and everyone around him.

Beyond the venues themselves, Colin's leadership with the Park City community facilitated the creation of Park City Ski and Snowboard, bringing together eight Wasatch Back ski clubs into a single entity and making a lasting impact on sport development at the Utah Olympic Park. It was the kind of initiative that reflected his broader vision: that the true measure of an Olympic legacy is not what is kept, but what continues to grow.

For the FIL, Colin was a trusted partner and a key figure in the work surrounding Utah 2034, the support related to the on-going World Cup events and the development of luge athletes on the Park City track. He brought decades of experience and institutional knowledge to the conversations that will shape the future of our sport, helping connect the pride of 2002 with the opportunity to welcome the world back to Utah. As UOLF Board Chair Natalie Gochnour said, he more than anyone else ensured that Utah's Olympic imprint remained "active, relevant, future-oriented, and connected to the communities it serves."

FIL President Einars Fogelis said:

"The international luge family has lost a true friend, and the Olympic Movement has lost an exceptional leader. Colin understood that the greatest legacy of an Olympic Games is what happens after the Olympic flame has gone out — the athletes who continue to train, the young people who discover sport and the communities that continue to benefit from the venues. What he and his colleagues built in Utah is an extraordinary example of that vision. On behalf of the FIL, I extend our deepest condolences to Colin's family, his colleagues at the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation and his many friends throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Movement."

FIL Secretary General Dwight Bell added:

"Colin was someone I considered both a colleague and a friend. He cared deeply about the Olympic Movement, but even more importantly, he cared about the people who make it work. His vision for the Utah Olympic Legacy and his commitment to keeping these extraordinary venues alive and thriving have benefited generations of athletes, including our luge athletes from around the world. We will continue to build on the legacy Colin created in his honor with the Utah team, as we look ahead to 2034 Utah Olympics and our world cup races, training, and athlete development in between. Colin leaves an enduring legacy, and he will be greatly missed by all of us in the FIL family."

For those who worked alongside Colin Hilton, this loss is deeply personal. His colleague and successor Calum Clark described him as "my colleague, my leader and most importantly my friend" – and that warmth was felt by all who had the privilege of crossing his path.

We extend our sincere condolences to Colin's family, to Calum Clark and the entire UOLF team, and to all those whose lives and careers were touched by his leadership.

He will be greatly missed.

Fédération Internationale de Luge, August 2026