2024 Paralympic Flame Begins Historic Journey from Stoke Mandeville to Paris
The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games are set to kick off with a historic moment as the Paralympic flame is lit in Stoke Mandeville, England, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement. On Saturday, the flame will be ignited near the village hospital where the games first began as a small event for World War II veterans in 1948.
Crossing the Channel: A Symbolic Relay
Following the lighting ceremony, 24 British athletes will embark on a symbolic underwater journey, carrying the flame through the Channel Tunnel. At the tunnel’s midpoint, the flame will be handed over to 24 French athletes, who will bring it ashore in Calais. From there, 12 torches will be lit, representing each day of the Paralympic Games, and carried across France.
A National Celebration of Inclusion and Legacy
The flame’s journey across France will highlight cities and communities dedicated to promoting inclusion in sports and honoring Paralympic legends. Stops include Lorient, home to sailing gold medalist Damien Seguin, and Blois, where Paralympic track star Marie-Amélie Le Fur’s legacy is celebrated.
Paris: A Beacon of History and Hope
The flame will arrive in Paris on Wednesday for the Paralympic opening ceremony, culminating in the lighting of an Olympic cauldron attached to a hot-air balloon. This spectacle will illuminate the French capital every evening during the 11-day competition.
The relay also coincides with the 80th anniversary of Paris’s liberation from Nazi occupation, adding a poignant layer to this momentous occasion.
Celebrating the Paralympic Spirit
The relay, involving over 1,000 torchbearers, will traverse 50 cities, shining a spotlight on those committed to the Paralympic spirit. From innovative athletes to volunteers, these individuals embody the Games’ mission of inclusion and excellence in sports.
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