The lighting ceremony at Stoke Mandeville Stadium marked the symbolic start of the Flame’s 11-day journey from the UK to Italy, culminating in the Opening Ceremony on 6th March at the iconic Arena di Verona.

Great Britain’s three-time Paralympian and four-time Paralympic medallist in Para alpine skiing Millie Knight, together with four-time Paralympian and vice-captain of the Italian Para ice hockey team Andrea Macrì, lit the Paralympic Flame in front of an audience of 200 invited guests. Dame Sarah Storey, Great Britain’s most decorated Paralympian and Channel 4 presenter for Milano Cortina 2026, hosted the event.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including IPC President Andrew Parsons; ParalympicsGB Chair Dan Brooke; and Countess Elizabeth Howe, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, on behalf of WheelPower.

In his speech at the event, IPC President Parsons reinforced the importance of the ceremony: “For everyone in the Paralympic Movement, Stoke Mandeville is sacred ground. It was here that Sir Ludwig Guttmann planted the seeds of a global movement which started with just 16 injured World War II veterans. From those beginnings to the first official Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, the Movement has grown beyond anything imagined. As the Flame returns to Italy, and as the Paralympic Winter Games return after 20 years to the country, Milano Cortina 2026 stands as a powerful celebration of how far we’ve come.”

In his video message, President of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, Giovanni Malagò said: “Stoke Mandeville and Rome are the places where this extraordinary journey began, a journey that has transformed millions of lives through sport and changed how we see one another as a society. The Flame lit in Stoke Mandeville is a symbol of hope and of the future, a living testimony of our commitment to improve and to ensure full participation for everyone, regardless of any barrier."

ParalympicsGB Chair Dan Brooke said: “As the founding nation, Great Britain is proud that Sir Ludwig Guttmann’s 1948 Stoke Mandeville Games have grown into the world-changing Paralympic Games we know today. 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.”

On behalf of WheelPower, Countess Elizabeth Howe said: “The flame we light today is more than a symbol. It carries the hopes of athletes, the strength of communities, and the belief that everyone, whatever their circumstances, deserves the chance to move, to compete and to belong. WheelPower, based here at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, stands at the heart of that belief. As the national charity for wheelchair sport, it continues Sir Ludwig Guttmann’s vision by opening doors to sport and physical activity for disabled people of all ages and abilities – from first time participants to Paralympians preparing for the world stage.”

Following the Paralympic Flame Lighting event, the flame headed to London Heathrow Airport for a flight to Italy. On 6th March, the Paralympic Flame will conclude its journey at the Arena di Verona as the Paralympic Opening Ceremony takes place in a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the first time. The arrival of the Flame in Verona will mark the official start of the Paralympic Winter Games.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will take place from 6th – 15th March 2026, bringing together the world’s best winter Para athletes. Up to 665 athletes from around 50 nations will compete across 79 medal events in six sports: Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard and wheelchair curling.

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Photo credit: Laura McG Photography