Paralympic Flame Lit in Stoke Mandeville

The Paralympic flame was lit by British athletes Helene Raynsford and Gregor Ewan in Stoke Mandeville, England, marking the start of its journey to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. This ceremony took place at the birthplace of the Paralympic movement, where the first Stoke Mandeville Games were held in 1948. Raynsford, the first Paralympic champion in Para rowing, and Ewan, a three-time Paralympian in wheelchair curling, expressed their honor at being chosen for this special occasion. Following the lighting, the flame will be passed among 24 torchbearers in the UK and then transported through the Channel Tunnel to France. The flame will multiply into 12 separate flames upon reaching Calais, symbolizing the 12-day duration of the Games. The Paris Paralympics will officially begin next week and run until September 8.