Paris 2024 Paralympic Torch Relay: Everything you need to know

The City of Lights is preparing to shine once more as the Paralympic Torch Relay races across France in anticipation of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Over 4,000 athletes and even more spectators await the Paralympic flame’s arrival during an unprecedented Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games at La Concorde on Wednesday, 28 August. The Paralympic flame will provide the necessary spark to kickstart a celebration of sport like no other.

Find out everything you need to know about the Paralympic Torch Relay ahead of its grand finale in the centre of Paris, including the route, torchbearers and where the Paralympic flame was lit.

How did the Paralympic flame arrive in France?

The Paralympic flame was lit during a symbolic ceremony in Stoke Mandeville, England, on Saturday 24 August. The village is the historic birthplace of the Paralympic movement, where Doctor Ludwig Guttmann first dreamt of a sporting event for World War II veterans with disabilities to aid in their physical and mental rehabilitation.

Like the Olympic flame lit in Ancient Olympia for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the Paralympic flame lit in Stoke Mandeville experienced a unique journey to France.

After the lighting ceremony, the Paralympic flame travelled to the Channel Tunnel, an underwater passage that connects Great Britain and France. 24 British torchbearers entered the tunnel with the Paralympic torch, where they were met halfway by 24 French torchbearers, who delivered the Paralympic flame to the French coastal city of Calais.

The Paralympic flame was then multiplied digitally in Calais, with twelve flames being created to commemorate the 12 days of the first Summer Paralympic Games to be held in France.

The twelve flames then took up residence in border communities across mainland France, forming a ring around the host nation.

Read more: Paralympic Torch Relay Map

What is the route of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Torch Relay?

Beginning with the creation of 12 Paralympic flames in Calais, Valenciennes, Amnéville, Strasbourg, Thonon-les-Bains, Antibes Juan-les-Pins, Montpellier, Lourdes, La Roche-sur-Yon, Lorient, Saint-Malo and Rouen, the flames today (Monday 26 August) begin their journey towards Paris, travelling inward to Arras, Amiens, Chambly, Laon, Châlons-en-Champagne, Troyes, Châtillon-sur-Seine, Lyon, Vichy, Limoges, Blois, Chartres, Deauville and Louviers.

Daily celebrations will be held on each evening, with a Paralympic cauldron lit in each of the 12 locations. The Festivals of the Flame will bring together music, Paralympic sports and festivities for whole families to enjoy.

The various Paralympic flames will continue towards Paris on 27 August, making stops across the Île-de France region, before completing a final sprint across the host city itself on 28 August.

"It's quite original to be able to cover so much territory in a Paralympic relay,” said Deputy CEO of the Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Michaël Aloïsio. “We're expecting a lot of people and these will be important days for launching the Paralympic Games"

The Paralympic flames will make their final appearance during the Opening Ceremony, where they will be used to light the cauldron to symbolise the start of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Read more: Paralympic Torch Relay route

Paralympic Torch Relay Torchbearers

With so much ground to cover, and so little time to do it, 1,000 torchbearers will be called upon to guide the Paralympic flame to the City of Lights.

Known as “forerunners,” the Paris 2024 torchbearers were selected based on their commitment, dedication and embodiment of the intangible qualities key to the success of the Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

Paralympic Torch Relay: Paris 2024 Team Relays

Of those 1,000 torchbearers, around 200 will take part in six team relays, each of which will promote one aspect of Para sports.

Each team relay will be unique and are made up of key volunteers from the Paralympic federations, a relay of young Para athletes, two relays with former Paralympians, a relay of people involved in innovative actions, and a relay bringing together people who dedicate their lives to those with disabilities and people who work each day in the non-profit sector to help advance the rights of carers.