Paralympic Flame Relay Begins in Stoke Mandeville

The Paralympic flame will be lit on Saturday in Stoke Mandeville, England, considered the birthplace of the Paralympic Games, before embarking on a four-day relay to France. Following a handover in the Channel Tunnel to 24 French athletes, the flame will reach Calais and then travel through various cities in France, symbolizing inclusion and awareness for the disabled community. This journey celebrates the legacy of Ludwig Guttmann, a Jewish neurosurgeon who pioneered competitive sports for spinal injury patients post-World War II. The flame's final destination will be Paris, where it will light a unique cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games. The relay aims to rekindle enthusiasm for the Games after the Olympic events and will feature around 1,000 torchbearers, including former Paralympians and advocates for disability rights. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Paris from Nazi occupation, adding historical significance to the event.