Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Torch Relay begins in Buckinghamshire today
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games begin on Tuesday
The fourth Paralympic Heritage Flame Lighting Ceremony is taking place at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Aylesbury today.
As the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, Torch Bearers Jane Blackburn and Susie Rodgers MBE will be welcomed alongside local sport and community groups.
It will begin the give-day-long official Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Torch Relay, with the games opening on Tuesday August 24th.
Although a special moment for the area and those involved, Vicki Hope-Walker from the National Paralympic Heritage Trust Centre says more can be done to be equal to the Olympics:
"Up until 2012 there wasn't a flame lighting here at the birthplace of the games, whereas from the very beginning there has been a flame lighting at Mount Olympus for the Olympics.
"So it is a step forward in that equality between the games and the lighting of the flame is symbolic of that.
"We aren't quite there though. At the moment the flame lighting at Mount Olympus is paid for by the host nation while the ceremony for the Paralympics is not.
"So it is a wonderful event and we are all very excited but there is a way to go."
The event has been organised by Buckinghamshire Council with local partners WheelPower, Stoke Mandeville Stadium, National Paralympic Heritage Trust, Walk the Plank, and Leap.
Unfortunately, due to the restrictions and impacts of the pandemic throughout the planning stages of the fourth Paralympic Heritage Flame Lighting Ceremony, Buckinghamshire Council has been unable to provide a ticket ballot for the event.
However, highlights of the Ceremony will be broadcast on Channel 4’s evening news programme on Thursday 19 August for everyone to enjoy from the comfort of their home.