Paralympians light flame before Paris Games

The Paralympic occurrence has been lit by 2 British athletes earlier its travel to nan Paris Games.

It was ignited by Helene Raynsford and Gregor Ewan successful nan birthplace of nan Paralympic movement, successful Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, connected Saturday.

The torch will beryllium passed successful relays betwixt 24 torch bearers successful nan UK connected its travel to nan French superior via nan Channel Tunnel.

"I americium truthful excited to beryllium chosen for this highly typical occasion," Ewan said.

The arena marked nan first clip nan Paralympic occurrence had been lit astatine Stoke Mandeville since nan games arrived successful London successful 2012.

The Paralympic activity began from nan village's infirmary successful 1948 aft Dr Ludwig Guttmann helped to rehabilitate soldiers injured during nan Second World War.

International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons ran a short circuit of nan athletics way pursuing nan ignition earlier.

The torch will beryllium carried by 24 British bearers successful nan UK earlier it is handed complete to 24 French Paralympians successful Calais.

Organisers said erstwhile successful France, each torch would past ignite different 12 torches to symbolise nan number of days nan games would last. The flames would past beryllium dispersed crossed nan state for astir 1,200 forerunners to relay.

The relays will converge successful Paris connected 28 August, wherever nan Paralympic cauldron will beryllium lit astatine nan Paralympic Games opening ceremony.

It was hoped utilizing Stoke Mandeville would raise world consciousness of nan domiciled it had played successful nan commencement of nan Paralympic activity via Sir Ludwig.

"Words cannot picture nan honour of being chosen to ray nan Paralympic Flame alongside Gregor," said Raynsford, nan first Paralympic rowing champion.

Ewan, a three-time Paralympian successful wheelchair rowing, added it was an "extremely typical occasion".