Paralympic Flame Ignited in Stoke Mandeville, Birthplace of Paralympic Movement

In Stoke Mandeville, England, the Paralympic flame was lit by British athletes Helene Raynsford and Gregor Ewan ahead of the Paralympic Games in Paris. Despite the rain, reminiscent of the downpour at the Olympic Summer Games opening ceremony in Paris, the flame was passed to IPC President Andrew Parsons.

The tradition, initiated by neurologist Ludwig Guttmann in 1948 for war veterans with spinal cord injuries, coincided with the 1948 London Olympics. Originating in Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the Paralympic Games debuted in 1960 in Rome with 400 athletes from 23 countries.