The flame for the 2024 Summer Paralympics was ignited on Saturday in Stoke Mandeville, a northwest London suburb rich in sporting history. This ceremony marks the beginning of the flame's symbolic journey to Paris, where it will culminate in the opening ceremony on Wednesday.
Stoke Mandeville holds a special place in Paralympic history as the birthplace of the Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948. These games, organized by Jewish neurosurgeon Ludwig Guttmann, brought together wheelchair athletes who had survived Nazi persecution during World War II. Guttmann's vision and pioneering work in spinal injury treatments laid the foundation for what would become the Paralympic movement.
This year's flame journey will traverse the English Channel and travel across France, showcasing the unity and resilience of Paralympic athletes worldwide. A unique aspect of this ceremony is the flame lighting a cauldron attached to a hot-air balloon, symbolizing the ascent and aspirations of the competitors.
The Paris Paralympics promise 11 days of intense competition, celebrating athletic excellence and promoting inclusion and accessibility. As the flame makes its way to the host city, it serves as a beacon of hope and determination, inspiring millions around the globe.
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Paralympic flame lit at Stoke Mandeville to kick off journey to Paris
cgtn.com
