I attended Winter Paralympic Flame lighting for 2026 games

You never know in life where things are going to take you.

If you had gone back over 100 years and told a certain Sir Ludwig Guttmann that in 2026, we would be celebrating 50 years since the very first Paralympic Games, I am not sure he would have believed you.

The same as I cannot quite believe I was in attendance of my second lighting of a Paralympic flame.

The event, which was held at the amazing birthplace of the Paralympic movement, Stoke Mandeville Stadium, was hosted by 19-time gold Paralympic medalist Dame Sarah Storey.

I heard how the games began back in 1960 in Rome and March 6, 2026, Verona Arena will present ‘Life in Motion’.

It reinforced how important the lighting of the Paralympic Flame is and what it represents.

IPC President Andrew Parsons told how “Stoke Mandeville Stadium is seen as a sacred ground that started out with just 16 war veterans in 1948 for the Stoke Mandeville games”. 

Countess Elizabeth Howe, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, gave a speech in which she highlighted that “the flame we light here today is more than a symbol, it carries the hopes of athletes, the strengths of communities and the belief that anyone, whatever their circumstance, deserves the chance to move, to compete and to belong”.

In the presence of the Guttmann family, the flame was lit by GB athlete and four-time Paralympic medalist in Alpine Skiing, Millie Knight and four-time Paralympian for the Italian Ice Hockey team, Andrea Macri.

Speaking after the lighting of the flame, Millie advised: “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 and Andrea Marci with Andrew Parson IPC President and Dame Sarah Storey (Image: Newsquest)

It goes to show that many people are no longer seeing disability at first sport second when it comes to the Paralympics, and whilst the games must keep inclusivity at the forethought of their minds, it highlights how far the games have come.

For the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the campaign Equal Play was launched, in which it was said that every child deserves to be included in PE and sports.

The latest survey has shown that whilst progress has been made, 12 to 15-year-olds are still being let down, so these games could not have come at a better time, as it gives the chance to reignite the campaign.

President of Milano Cortina 2026, Giovanni Malagò, said: “Even if one child with a disability is inspired to take up sport because of these games, then we shall have every reason to be proud of what we have achieved together

“To Millie, Andrea and Andrew, the flame you are about to carry to Italy represents the very best of us.

“It embodies what we can become when we work together towards a common goal capable of transforming millions of lives.”

ParalympicGB has 25 talented Athletes taking part. Among them are Britain’s most decorated winter Paralympian Alpine Skier, Menna Fitzpatrick and new to the circuit, Snowboarder Davy Zyw, who will make history as the first person with MND to compete at the games. 

Dan Brooke, Chair of ParalympicsGB, said: “As we pass the flame from its birthplace to Milano Cortina, we hope it will light up the globe with Italy’s unique passion.

“Best of luck to the organisers, and to all in the ParalympicsGB team.”

As the flame made a special flight following the ceremony, festivals will be held in the coming days as it makes its way to its final destination for the opening ceremony and the games on March 6 to 15.

As our teams make their way out to their destination, from me, I wish all at TeamGB the best of luck.

You can find out more about the history of the Paralympic Games at the National Paralympic Heritage Trust Museum located at Stoke Mandeville Stadium or on their website.