Since 1ᵉʳ February 2021, Bruno Thomas has held the position of general manager of the bobsleigh track, the venue for bobsleigh events at the 2030 Olympic Winter Games.
A former member of the French national team, Bruno Thomas is inspiring future generations to take up this spectacular sport.
"I'm happy to be working in the world of my passion, which has been my passion for over 20 years, and even happier to be practising my sport, bobsleigh". he confides.
A unique track in France
With only 16 runways in service worldwide, including just one in France, Bruno Thomas' role is crucial.
"Firstly, because it's the only runway in France, and there won't be another, he says.
Secondly, because the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation have agreed that no track after the one for the 2026 Olympic Games in Cortina (Italy) would be built anywhere in the world for practical reasons and to be consistent with climate change".
This is a French exception, which gives the La Plagne piste a significant and central role, as well as ensuring the long-term future of the infrastructure already in place.
For 32 years, the track originally built for the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics has been an integral part of the La Plagne area.
Not just for athletes
Numerous competitions have contributed to the track's reputation, most recently. The Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Cup was held from 4 to 10 December 2023. The competition attracted 120 international athletes.
And this year, from 18 to 24 March will host the Parabob World Cup. "Today, the bobsleigh run is one of La Plagne's two signature events, along with the ice climbing. But the track is in a way the signature element of La Plagne.
The track is not just for professionals. It is in fact open to the general public at the end of the afternoonafter the athletes have finished training. Holidaymakers can enjoy 1,507 metres of downhill, punctuated by 19 bends and 200 metres of piste for deceleration. All this with 124.5 m of negative vertical drop.
"Anyone who wants to try the three activities on offer can follow in the footsteps of the Olympic athletes".says the general manager. Holidaymakers can try their hand at the Bob Raft, Speed Luge and Bob Racin. Each year, the track welcomes between 13,000 and 14,000 visitors.