Paris Paralympics Ignite: A Journey of Light and Legacy

The Paralympic flame embarks on a significant journey from its birthplace in Stoke Mandeville to Paris, marking the start of the Paralympics. This relay, featuring 1,000 torchbearers and encompassing 50 cities, will highlight innovation in para sports and commemorate historic events, culminating in a unique opening ceremony.

Two weeks after French star swimmer Léon Marchand extinguished the Olympic flame to close the Paris Olympics, the spotlight is now on its Paralympic counterpart.

The flame will be lit on Saturday in Stoke Mandeville, a village northwest of London widely recognized as the birthplace of the Paralympic Games. The flame will then make its journey to France via the Channel Tunnel, embarking on a four-day relay across the country.

The journey will culminate in Paris on Wednesday with the Paralympics opening ceremony. A one-of-a-kind Olympic cauldron, attached to a hot-air balloon, will be lit and will soar above the city every evening during the 11 days of competition.