Paralympic Flame Lit in Stoke Mandeville

The Paralympic flame was lit by British athletes Helene Raynsford and Gregor Ewan in Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Paralympic Games, marking the beginning of its journey to Paris. This significant event took place two weeks after the conclusion of the Paris Olympics, with the flame set to travel through the Channel Tunnel as part of a four-day relay. The ceremony honors Ludwig Guttmann, a pioneering figure in adaptive sports, who advocated for competition among spinal injury patients in post-World War II Britain. International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons expressed the continued impact of Guttmann's legacy, while Paris 2024 organizing committee president Tony Estanguet highlighted France's excitement to host the 17th edition of the Games. The relay will culminate in Paris, where a unique Olympic cauldron will be lit during the opening ceremony, which will feature a hot-air balloon display over the city. This Paralympics promises to be a memorable event, celebrating both athletics and the spirit of inclusion.