Winter Paralympic Flame Lit at Birthplace
The ceremonial lighting took place at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the historical origin of the Paralympic movement.
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From the archive. This story was written up on 29 July 2026 from reporting first published on 26 February 2026, which is the date shown above. We took up the back catalogue of the local titles we read when this site launched, so the events are older than the page.
The Winter Paralympic Flame was lit at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the historic cradle of the Paralympic movement. The ceremony marked the beginning of the flame's journey to Verona, Italy, where it will be part of the opening ceremony for the 2026 Games on March 6. The event honoured the movement's beginnings in 1948 with 16 war veterans and its growth into a major international sporting competition.
A Symbol of Progress and Inclusion
The lighting ceremony brought together key figures from the Paralympic world, including IPC President Andrew Parsons and GB athlete Millie Knight. Countess Elizabeth Howe, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, spoke about the flame representing athletes' hopes and the belief that everyone deserves the chance to compete. The event also acknowledged the evolution of the Paralympics into a platform for elite sport, where disability is increasingly seen as secondary to athletic achievement.
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“The Paralympics has become about elite sport, about how these athletes are at the top of their game, are the best in the game and they are disabled.”
Millie Knight, GB Athlete
Millie Knight, a four-time Paralympic medalist in Alpine Skiing, who helped light the flame, commented on this shift. She noted that the focus is now on the athletes' performance, highlighting how far the games have progressed. The event also touched upon the ongoing 'Equal Play' campaign, aiming to ensure inclusivity in sports for children with disabilities, referencing recent surveys indicating that progress is still needed for 12 to 15-year-olds. Giovanni Malagò, President of Milano Cortina 2026, expressed that inspiring even one child with a disability to take up sport would be a significant achievement.
Journey to Italy and Future Events
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Following the ceremony, the flame began its journey to Italy, with festivals planned along the route. The Winter Paralympic Games are scheduled to take place from March 6 to 15, 2026. The event celebrated the legacy of Sir Ludwig Guttmann, who is credited with founding the Paralympic movement, and the National Paralympic Heritage Trust Museum at Stoke Mandeville Stadium offers further information on its history.
Questions this report answers
+Where will the flame go after it’s lit?
The flame will travel to Verona, Italy, where it will feature in the opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games on March 6. This marks the flame’s journey from its symbolic birthplace at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the historic home of the Paralympic movement.
+What does the flame represent at this event?
The flame symbolises athletes’ hopes and the belief that everyone deserves the chance to compete, reflecting the Paralympic movement’s core values of inclusion. Countess Elizabeth Howe highlighted this during the ceremony, emphasising progress and the right to participate in sport.
+Who were the key figures at the lighting ceremony?
The ceremony included IPC President Andrew Parsons, GB athlete Millie Knight, and Countess Elizabeth Howe, the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire. Knight, a four-time Paralympic medalist, spoke about the Paralympics’ shift towards elite sport and athletic achievement.
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