Under sea and over land, Paris Paralympics flame is beginning an exceptional journey

Paris, Aug. 25: Following the conclusion of the Paris Olympics, attention now turns to the Paralympics, with the ceremonial lighting of the Paralympic flame. This flame will be ignited on Saturday in Stoke Mandeville, England, the recognized birthplace of the Paralympic Games. From there, it will embark on a remarkable journey, traveling beneath the English Channel to France. Over the course of four days, the flame will be relayed across diverse French landscapes, from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean, and from the Pyrenees to the Alps. The journey culminates in Paris, where the flame will ignite a special cauldron attached to a hot-air balloon that will float over the city during the 11 days of competition.

The lighting of the Paralympic Heritage Flame in Stoke Mandeville is a nod to the village’s historical significance. The inaugural games, which began in 1948, were organized by Ludwig Guttmann, a Jewish neurosurgeon who fled Nazi Germany. He pioneered the idea of using sports to rehabilitate World War II veterans with spinal injuries. This initiative eventually evolved into the first official Paralympic Games held in Rome in 1960. The Heritage Flame lighting, initiated for the 2012 London Paralympics, symbolizes the deep-rooted history and spirit of the Paralympic movement.

The flame’s journey will mirror that of the Olympic flame, traversing the Channel Tunnel to France. A relay team comprising 24 British athletes will carry the flame underwater, passing it to 24 French athletes mid-tunnel, who will then take it ashore at Calais. There, the flame will light 12 torches representing the 11 days of competition and the opening ceremony.

In France, these torches will be carried by a diverse group of 1,000 torchbearers, including former Paralympians, young para-athletes, and volunteers, traveling to 50 cities nationwide. The relay will shine a light on communities that champion inclusivity in sports and advocate for disability awareness.

Notable stops on the flame’s route include Lorient, the home of Paralympic sailing gold medalist Damien Seguin, and Blois, the hometown of decorated Paralympic track athlete Marie-Amélie Le Fur. The relay will also visit Châlons-en-Champagne, known for its gymnasium designed for people with intellectual disabilities, as well as other cities promoting para sports.

The journey will culminate on Wednesday with the lighting of the cauldron in Paris, a groundbreaking symbol of sustainability as it utilizes water and electric light, flying over the city each evening throughout the Games. (AP)