The flame for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics was ignited Tuesday in Stoke Mandeville, England, marking the symbolic start of the global adaptive sports event. Paralympians Millie Knight (Great Britain) and Andrea Macri (Italy) led the ceremony at the historic birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, attended by 200 guests and hosted by 17-time British Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey.
IPC President Andrew Parsons emphasized the event’s significance, stating: “Milano Cortina 2026 stands as a powerful celebration of how far we’ve come since the first Paralympic Games in Rome 66 years ago.” The torch relay will traverse 2,000 kilometers through five Italian cities over 11 days, concluding at Verona Arena’s March 6 Opening Ceremony.
Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 President Giovanni Malago called the flame a “symbol of hope” in a video address, highlighting the Movement’s role in fostering societal inclusion. The ceremony also honored Italy’s first Winter Paralympics hosting since 2006, with Macri’s participation underscoring local anticipation for the Para ice hockey competitions.
