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The torch is being passed again and there’s a reason why it started in England

BBG News

As a fervent admirer of sports history and the indomitable human spirit, I find the journey of the Olympic and Paralympic torches utterly captivating. The tales they weave, connecting communities worldwide and celebrating resilience, are nothing short of inspiring.

The Olympic and Paralympic torches are an indispensible part of the athletic competitions that are held every four years around the globe. Public figures and renowned athletes are often involved in the relay, as we saw with Snoop Dogg and Greek footballer Zinedine Zidane. According to Olympics.com, this year’s group of 11,000 torch-bearers were selected “based on their commitment, dedication and how they embody at least one of the core tenets of Paris 2024.” These tenets are sport and the Games, communities and the collective. For the Olympic Games, the torch was lit in Olympia, Greece then sailed on the three-masted ship Belem to begin the journey from Marseilles to Paris.

The Stoke Mandeville connection

The Paralympic Torch Relay starts in Stoke Mandeville, England instead of following the path of the Olympic Games, which is due to its unique origin. While the Olympics were inspired by devotion to Greek gods on Mount Olympus, the Paralympics were conceived by Dr. Ludwig Guttman at the Stoke Mandeville Military Hospital.

As a passionate history enthusiast, I’d like to share an interesting fact: I recently discovered that Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a remarkable individual, conceived a unique idea post-World War Two – a sporting event designed to aid soldiers and war victims in their recovery at hospitals. Initially known as the Stoke Mandeville Games, these games evolved into what we now know as the Paralympics in 1960. The inaugural Paralympic Games took place in Rome, a week after the conclusion of the Olympics.

In the initial series of games, it was Margaret Maughan from Great Britain who shone brightly, winning a gold medal in archery and amassing a total of seven more medals (three golds and two silvers) across the four Games she participated in. On the other hand, Trischa Zorn from the United States holds the record for the most decorated Paralympian, boasting 55 Paralympic medals, among which are an impressive 42 gold ones.

On August 24, the Paralympic Torch will be ignited at Stoke Mandeville, marking the start of its trip to Paris where it will be used to commence the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games on August 28.

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2024-08-24 04:31

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