World Abilitysport 2nd Vice President, Dr Murat Aksu, Head of Sport, Harry Cootes and Head of Operations, Elin Luce, today attended the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games Flame Lighting Ceremony at Stoke Mandeville Stadium — the historic birthplace of the Paralympic Movement.

The ceremony, held on 24 February, marked the official start of the flame’s journey to Italy ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. After being lit by Paralympians, Millie Knight and Andrea Macrì, the torch began its 2,000-kilometre relay route to Verona, where the Games will open on 6 March 2026.

The ceremony was opened with a heartfelt tribute and moment of silence led by Britain’s most decorated Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, in memory of World Abilitysport CEO Charmaine Hooper, who passed away suddenly earlier this month. In a moving address, Dame Sarah honoured Charmaine’s outstanding service to the Paralympic Movement, reflecting that her legacy will live on “in every athlete, in every competition and in every flame that continues to burn brightly in the spirit of inclusion and possibility.”

Dr Murat Aksu reflected on the moment, “We extend our sincerest thanks to the International Paralympic Committee, WheelPower and ParalympicsGB for incorporating such a moving tribute to Charmaine within the ceremony. To honour her legacy in a place that carried deep personal significance and treasured memories for Charmaine, reminds us that this Movement is not only built on history, but also on the people whose passion and dedication continue to drive it forward.”

Dame Sarah and IPC President, Andrew Parsons, also highlighted the significance of 2026 as the 50th anniversary of the first Paralympic Winter Games, held in 1976. She paid tribute to the enduring legacy of Stoke Mandeville and to Sir Ludwig Guttmann, whose vision in creating the Stoke Mandeville Games laid the foundations for what would become the global Paralympic Movement.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Paralympic Winter Games, a short film honouring the history of the Games debuted during the ceremony. The film will be shown officially at the Opening Ceremony in Verona next month.

Speaking after the event, Dr Murat Aksu said:

“Standing at Stoke Mandeville as the flame begins its journey to Italy is a powerful reminder of how far the Paralympic Movement has come. As the founder member of this Movement, World Abilitysport is immensely proud of our history and of the vision of Sir Ludwig Guttmann, whose belief in the power of sport continues to shape lives around the world.”

Dr Murat Aksu also took the opportunity to visit the National Paralympic Heritage Centre located at Stoke Mandeville Stadium to see the exhibition of Paralympic history, where it all began.