You never know in life where things are going to take you.

If you had gone back over 100 years and told a certain Sir Ludwig Guttmann that in 2026, we would be celebrating 50 years since the very first Paralympic Games, I am not sure he would have believed you.

The same as I cannot quite believe I was in attendance of my second lighting of a Paralympic flame.

The event, which was held at the amazing birthplace of the Paralympic movement, Stoke Mandeville Stadium, was hosted by 19-time gold Paralympic medalist Dame Sarah Storey.

I heard how the games began back in 1960 in Rome and March 6, 2026, Verona Arena will present ‘Life in Motion’.

It reinforced how important the lighting of the Paralympic Flame is and what it represents.

IPC President Andrew Parsons told how “Stoke Mandeville Stadium is seen as a sacred ground that started out with just 16 war veterans in 1948 for the Stoke Mandeville games”. 

Countess Elizabeth Howe, His........

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