Flame lighting marks 50 years of Winter Paralympics

Today the Paralympic flame was lit at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, with under two weeks to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

The ceremony was led by Britain’s most decorated Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, with the flame lit by ParalympicsGB skier Millie Knight and Italian Paralympian Andrea Macrì, a symbolic passing of the torch from Paralympic birthplace at Stoke Mandeville to the next host nation.

Millie Knight holds a lit Paralympic torch Dame Sarah Storey addresses the audience from the podium.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the very first Winter Paralympic Games. Among those in the audience was Mike Brace, who represented Great Britain at those Games in 1976 in Sweden. His presence served as a powerful reminder of the journey of the Winter Games over the past five decades, and of the athletes who helped lay their foundations.

Guests also heard from ParalympicsGB Chair Dan Brooke, Countess Elizabeth Howe and Allianz’s Head of Olympic and Paralympic Partnerships Eike Burgel.

Mike Brace pictured in the audience at the ceremony.

Reflecting on her own journey, Millie Knight spoke about her debut at Sochi in 2014, recalling the nerves she felt on arrival in the Paralympic Village. “I was so nervous,” she said. “But in the arena, in the venue, on the snow, it all goes and you think, this is what we're here to do.”

Italy's Macrì first heard about the Paralympic Games as a teenager and is now preparing to compete at his fifth Games. Speaking about Milano Cortina 2026, he reflected not only on the sporting opportunity but on the wider impact he hopes the event will have in driving meaningful cultural change in the host city, changing perceptions and broadening the understanding of disability sport across society.

Mille Knight addresses the audience at Stoke Mandeville Stadium Andrea Macri addresses the audience at Stoke Mandeville Stadium

Looking ahead to the Games, Andrew Parsons, Paralympics President, promised that in Milano Cortina 2026 “the Games will be beautiful, the sport spectacular and the experience life changing”.

Paralympics President Andrew Parsons addresses the audience from the podium.

As the flame now travels onwards to Italy, it carries with it 50 years of Winter Paralympic history, from the pioneers of 1976 to today’s ParalympicsGB athletes preparing to compete in just under two weeks’ time.

We don't know about you - but we can't wait!

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