Paralympic Flame Lit at Stoke Mandeville for 2026

Author: International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
Published: 24 Feb 2026 - Updated: 31 Aug 2026
Publication Type: Announcement

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This article covers the ceremonial lighting of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Flame at Stoke Mandeville, the spiritual birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, marking the symbolic start of an 11-day journey from the United Kingdom to Italy ahead of the Paralympic Winter Games opening on 6 March 2026 at the Arena di Verona. It offers readers an inside look at the ceremonies, the athletes who lit the flame, the dignitaries in attendance, and the full torch relay itinerary across Italian cities, making it a valuable resource for Paralympic fans, sports journalists, disability sport advocates, and anyone following adaptive winter sports or the history of the Paralympic Movement.*

At a Glance

• 1 - The Games run from 6 to 15 March 2026 across six winter sports. These include Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard, and wheelchair curling.
• 2 - Britain's Millie Knight and Italy's Andrea Macri lit the Flame before 200 invited guests. Dame Sarah Storey, the nation's most decorated Paralympian, hosted the ceremony.
• 3 - The relay features Flame Festivals in Torino, Milan, Bolzano, Trento, and Trieste. Additional Flame Visits reach Rome, Bari, Naples, and Bologna in central and southern Italy.
• 4 - Up to 665 athletes from around 50 nations will compete in 79 medal events. The Opening Ceremony takes place at the Arena di Verona, the first time a UNESCO World Heritage Site has hosted the event.

Topic Definition

Paralympic Flame

The Paralympic Flame is the symbolic fire that opens each edition of the Paralympic Games, representing the spirit, unity, and heritage of the worldwide Paralympic Movement. Unlike the Olympic torch, which is traditionally kindled in Greece, the Paralympic Flame for each Games is created at Stoke Mandeville in the United Kingdom, the site where Sir Ludwig Guttmann held the 1948 Stoke Mandeville Games that grew into the modern Paralympics. Once lit, the Flame travels through a torch relay toward the host location, passing through communities along the way before arriving at the Opening Ceremony, where it signals the official start of competition. More than a piece of ceremony, the Flame connects the present Games back to their origins and carries a message of hope, participation, and the belief that sport belongs to everyone, regardless of ability.

Overview

Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Flame Lit in Historic Ceremony at Stoke Mandeville

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Flame was created today (24 February) in Stoke Mandeville, United Kingdom, the spiritual birthplace of the Paralympic Movement. The lighting ceremony, which was supported by Allianz, The Official Insurer of the Paralympic and Olympic Movements, marks the symbolic start of the Flame's 11 day journey from the UK to Italy, culminating in the Opening Ceremony on 6 March at the iconic Arena di Verona.

Great Britain's three-time Paralympian and four-time Paralympic medalist 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; Countess Elizabeth Howe, His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, on behalf of WheelPower; and Allianz's Head of Olympic and Paralympic Partnerships Eike Burgel.

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. Today represents a special moment for our countries, for the Paralympic Movement and for humanity. 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."

"As this journey begins toward Milano Cortina 2026 and the Arena di Verona, it carries a powerful universal message. The Flame we are about to carry to Italy represents what we can become when we work together toward a common goal that will change the lives of millions."

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 organizers, 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."

Allianz's Head of Olympic and Paralympic Partnerships Eike Burgel said:

"Milano Cortina 2026 marks 20 years since Allianz first stood alongside the Paralympic Movement. What began as early support has grown into a long-term partnership that elevates visibility, professionalism, and athlete support across every Games. Our work reflects the power of sport to unite people everywhere and to help build a more just and inclusive society, grounded in the belief that sport belongs to everyone."

Following the Paralympic Flame Lighting event, the flame headed to London Heathrow Airport for a special ITA Airways flight to Italy. This evening, a special Flame Festival event will take place in Torino to mark the 20th anniversary of the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games.

Further Flame Festivals will take place in Milan (25 February), Bolzano (27 February), Trento (28 February) and Trieste (2 March), transforming each stage into an opportunity for participation and celebration of the Paralympic community and its values.

At the same time, the Relay will be enriched by Flame Visits, public events organized by Allianz and Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 to extend the Paralympic Torch Relay to central and southern Italy, with four stops scheduled in Rome (26 February), Bari (27 February), Naples (2 March) and Bologna (3 March). Also on 3 March, the five Flames from the Flame Festivals will arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo, converging in the evocative Union Ceremony and giving life to a single Paralympic Flame.

On 4 March, the Paralympic Torch Relay, presented by Allianz, will carry the Flame to Venice, where the first stage celebration will take place, transforming its passage into a moment of connection with citizens, schools and associations The next day, the Torch Relay will continue through to Padova for the second stage celebration and spreading enthusiasm and excitement throughout the Veneto region.

On 6 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 6 - 15 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

Where is the Paralympic Flame traditionally lit

The Paralympic Flame is traditionally lit at Stoke Mandeville in the United Kingdom, widely regarded as the spiritual birthplace of the Paralympic Movement.

Who was Sir Ludwig Guttmann

Sir Ludwig Guttmann was a British neurologist who organized the 1948 Stoke Mandeville Games for World War II veterans with spinal injuries, laying the foundation for the Paralympic Games.

How often are the Paralympic Winter Games held

The Paralympic Winter Games are held every four years, alternating with the Paralympic Summer Games so that a Paralympic event takes place every two years.

When were the last Paralympic Winter Games held in Italy

The last Paralympic Winter Games in Italy were the Torino 2006 Games, making Milano Cortina 2026 the return of the event to the country after 20 years.

What is the difference between the Olympic and Paralympic Flame

The Olympic Flame is traditionally kindled in Greece, while the Paralympic Flame is created at Stoke Mandeville in the United Kingdom to honor the origins of the Paralympic Movement.

How can spectators follow the torch relay

Spectators can follow the relay through public Flame Festivals and Flame Visits held in cities across Italy, which are open community celebrations of the Paralympic Movement.

What classifications of athletes compete in the Paralympics

The Paralympics are open to elite athletes with physical, vision, or intellectual impairments who compete within a classification system that groups them by the impact of their impairment.

Where can people watch the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic coverage

Broadcast coverage varies by country, and in the United Kingdom the Games are presented on Channel 4, so viewers should check their national broadcaster for local listings.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The lighting of the Paralympic Flame at Stoke Mandeville is far more than a ceremonial tradition - it is a reminder of how a small gathering of injured World War II veterans in 1948 gave rise to one of the world's most meaningful sporting movements. As the flame makes its way through Italian cities and culminates at the Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games stand as both a celebration of athletic excellence and a living testament to the enduring power of sport to reshape how society sees disability, ability, and belonging.*

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and published on 24 Feb 2026, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.