Just over a week ago, the whole world was captivated by the exceptional competitions and intense emotions of the Olympic Games Paris In just nine days' time, it will be the turn of the Paralympic Games! It was in Stoke Mandeville hospital in that German neurologist Sir Ludwig Guttmann organised, at the same time as the Olympic Games in London, a sporting competition for Second World War veterans with spinal cord injuries to help with their recovery.
These Stoke Mandeville Games were the inspiration for the first Paralympic Games which were celebrated in Rome in Since then, the Paralympic Games have been held every four years. The day after it is lit, the Paralympic Flame will head for the Channel Tunnel to prepare for an unprecedented event: 24 British Torchbearers will symbolically begin the crossing of the tunnel and halfway between the United Kingdom and France will hand over the Flame to 24 French Torchbearers.
These 12 Flames symbolise the 12 days of festivities and unique emotions of the Paralympic Games. The Torch Relay will bring France into step with the Paralympic Games, with 1, Torchbearers taking turns over four days in more than 50 towns and cities. The 12 Flames will each take their own route through all of France's regions, converging on Paris.
The Relay route, co-designed with the expertise of the CPSF, will highlight the cities' dedication to sport and the Games, promote inclusion in sport, raise awareness of disability, and showcase French history and heritage. As an exception to the rule, a 13th Torch will be lit in Paris on the first day of the Torch Relay on 25 August.
The Flame will close this first day in style on the main stage of the Rock en Seine festival from 9. The sponsors of the Torch Relay, Coca-Cola, Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne, will be bringing the Relay to life with various activities floats along the route from Calais, partner stands, shows Banque Populaire will also organise a show featuring performers in numerous cities, and Coca-Cola will organise a large concert on 27 August at the Prisme in Bobigny, Seine-Saint-Denis.
