The Paralympic Games began in Stoke Mandeville, England, with the lighting of the Paralympic flame by British Paralympians Helene Raynsford and Gregor Ewan. The flame will travel to France for a four-day relay before ending in Paris for the Paralympics opening ceremony. The Paralympic Games have a long history, originating in the Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948 for wheelchair athletes with spinal injuries sustained during World War II. The man behind the idea, Ludwig Guttmann, revolutionized the way spinal injuries were treated, using competition as a way to motivate patients.
The Paris 2024 organizing committee is proud to host the 17th edition of the Paralympic Games, marking the first time it will be held in France. The unique and memorable flame relay will travel to 50 cities across the country to promote inclusion in sport and raise awareness of living with disabilities. The flame will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Paris from Nazi Germany occupation during World War II. The Paralympic Heritage Flame uses water and electric light to light the cauldron, which will fly over the Tuileries gardens every evening during the competition from sunset until 2 a.m.
The Paralympic flame will arrive in France via the Channel Tunnel in a unique underwater journey involving 24 British and French athletes. The flame will be used to light 12 torches symbolizing the 11 days of competition and the opening ceremony. The flame’s 12 offshoots will head in different directions across France to highlight communities promoting inclusion in sport and awareness of disabilities. The Paralympic Games aim to amaze spectators with this historic flame, attached to a hot-air balloon that flies over the French capital during each day of the competition.
The Paralympic cauldron’s unique design and eco-friendly nature have captured attention with its first flight at the Olympics. Aiming to rekindle enthusiasm for the Games, the flame will be carried to 50 cities across France. The exceptional Paris cauldron commemorates the liberation of the city during World War II and serves as a beacon of hope for the future. The Paralympic Games continue to honor the legacy of Ludwig Guttmann, who used competition as a way to motivate and empower individuals with disabilities to achieve greatness.
The Paralympic Games in Paris will be a historic event, featuring a stunning cauldron that flies over the Tuileries gardens each evening. The unique design of the flame and its journey across France will raise awareness and promote inclusion in sport. The legacy of the Paralympic Games, which began in Stoke Mandeville in 1948, continues to inspire athletes and spectators alike. As the Paralympic Games in Paris begin, the world will come together to celebrate the determination, strength, and talent of all athletes competing in the event.
