With the rain hammering down, it could not dampen the spirits of the 250 guests who had been invited to attend the prestigious lighting of the Paralympic Flame at Stoke Mandeville Stadium on Saturday 24th August. 

With an opening from the fantastic Jordan Jarret-Bryan to brighten our day, we were quickly introduced to IPC President Andrew Parsons, who thanked us for giving them a taste of typical British weather, and hoping his speech on paper would survive. 

Parsons stated the importance of celebrating Stoke Mandeville’s place in Paralympic history. “For everyone involved in the Paralympic Movement, Stoke Mandeville represents sacred and cherished ground …. Through Sport, Guttman created a transformational movement that today has a profound impact globally, advancing the lives of millions of people with

disabilities,

Little did he know that what he created here in 1948 would go on to become one of the world’s biggest sporting events.”

Tony Estanguent, President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee said, “As we celebrate the lighting of the Paralympic Flame and the origins of the Paralympic Movement here in Stoke Mandeville, it’s exciting to know that the first-ever summer Paralympic Games in France are just around the corner. Over the coming days, the Flame will travel all over France as we build towards an unprecedented opening ceremony on the Palace de la Concorde – a symbolic venue in the heart of Paris that will set the tone for a magical and meaningful Paralympic Games”.

Other guests to grace the stage included Nick Webborn CBE, ParalympicsGB President and Baroness Tani Grey Tompson DBE. 

The creation of the Paralympic Flame fell to two British Paralympians, Helene Raynsford and Gregor Ewan. Once lit, the first torchbearer of the Paralympic Games Torch Relay, was IPC President Andrew Parsons who ran part of the circuit of Stoke Mandeville Stadium. 

The Paralympic torch relay for Paris 2024 will be known as the “Forerunners relay”. After a short stopover on Saturday night, the Flame was ready to begin its journey. 

Twenty-four British torchbearers, started their expedition in Folkestone, taking the Paralympic Flame from the United Kingdom and meeting at the halfway point of the Channel Tunnel, where a fraternal torch kiss under the English Tunnel, dominates the return of the torch before continuing its journey with twenty-four French Para Torchbearers Flame made its way into France. 

Amongst the 24-strong British team were Ian Rose and the Captain of the team, Tokyo Gold medalist, Andrew Small. 

Awaiting the flame was the great-granddaughter of Sir Ludwig Guttman and 12-time Para Swimming Medalist Ludivine Munos. 

Upon exiting the tunnel, the flame was split into Twelve to represent the 12 days the flame will shine bright for the Paralympic Games. 

Sponsored by Coca-Cola, Banque Populaire, and Caisse d’Epargne, the Paralympic Torch Relay embarked on its tour of the first 12 host cities along the perimeter of the country. The arrival of the torch reignited the popular flavour for the Games with just three days until the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony.

400 torchbearers headed inland, and two teams showcasing Para-sports, organised together with the French Paralympics and Sports Committee set the tone for the day. 

Upon entering France, the torch blazed through the streets of Calais, whilst other torches lit up the heart of Valenciennes in Nord and the architectural heritage of Rouen in Seine-maritime. The torch also touched several cities in the South of France. 

The weekend saw children from Schools and those of Le Shuttle staff who had been picked from a Ballot, watch the flame and cheer it on as it reached the entrance to the tunnel. 

The ambiance was one of togetherness, caring, and above all pride. The Paralympic Torch continues its journey through the cities and streets of France before it comes to its final resting point on the eve of the 28thof August to signal the start of the Paris 2024 Games. These Games are said to be historic and will go down in history as being the most inclusive games for both Paralympians and supporters. 

A legacy the Paris 2024 games has brought is phenomenal.  Stoke Mandeville will be the home of the lighting of the flame for all future Paralympic games, and as Baroness Grey-Thompson said, “the Stoke Mandeville story and its legacy, symbolised by the Paralympic Flame, will travel with a message of peace, goodwill and hope for all the athletes and delegations to inspire the world”.

by Victoria-Jayne Scholes – ADJ Diploma Student

Originally writen and posted on www.abilityytoday.com