Nagano 1998-Milano Cortina 2026: Paralympic Winter Games Torch Relay gallery
Now is the perfect time to look back at some of the iconic Torch Relays from the past Paralympic Winter Games 24 Feb 2026
The Flame of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games was lit in Stoke Mandeville, United Kingdom, on 24 February, just 10 days before the Opening Ceremony of what promises to be the most beautiful Winter Games in history. Created in the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, the Paralympic Flame will embark on a 2,000‑kilometre journey across Italy, carried by 501 torchbearers.
As the Flame travels through the country , take a moment to look back at some of the best photos from past relays.
Let’s begin with the Milano Cortina 2026 Flame Lighting Ceremony, and then follow the Flame’s history all the way back to Nagano 1998.
Milano Cortina 2026
Great Britain’s three-time Paralympian and four-time Paralympic medallist in Para alpine skiing Millie Knight, together with four-time Paralympian and vice-captain of the Italian Para ice hockey team Andrea Macrì, lit the Paralympic Flame in front of an audience of 200 invited guests during the Flame Lighting Ceremony in Stoke Mandeville. Dame Sarah Storey, Great Britain’s most decorated Paralympian and Channel 4 presenter for Milano Cortina 2026, hosted the event.
Once the Paralympic Flame arrives in Italy, the Torch Relay will cover 2,000 kilometres and involve 501 torchbearers in the host country until the Opening Ceremony on 6 March.
The torches of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic and Olympic Games have been named "Essential" to highlight their minimalistic design. The torches come in different colours - bronze for the Paralympic Winter Games and blue for the Olympics. The Paralympic torch glows with Mountains of Light, honouring the inner strength of Paralympic athletes and the power of their courage to reshape the world.
The torches symbolise innovation, design and sustainability. Weighing 1,060 grams, the torches are made mostly of recycled materials and can be reused up to 10 times, significantly reducing the number of torches required for the relays.
Beijing 2022
More than 500 torchbearers took part in the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Torch Relay, which made stops in Beijing, Yangqing and Zhangjiakou competition zones, before the Paralympic cauldron was lit during the stunning Opening Ceremony on 4 March 2022.
The Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games were a huge celebration of winter Para sports and the Paralympic torch represented just that. The design of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic torch, named 'Flying', was inspired by two overlapping ribbons spiraling upward.
The colour scheme of gold and silver symbolises 'glory and dreams' and reflects values of 'determination, equality, inspiration and courage'. The two-tone torch presented a metaphor of ice and fire, symbolising how it will bring light and warmth to the celebration of winter Para sports.
PyeongChang 2018
The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Flame was lit on 2 March 2018, a week before the Opening Ceremony. Eight hundred torchbearers participated in the torch relay, which covered eight cities in the host country.
The Torch was 700mm in length, representing the altitude of PyeongChang, which is 700 meters above sea level. The white torch was designed to withstand the freezing winter weather in the Republic of Korea, with the flame able to keep burning even in strong wind and heavy snow. Four values - courage, determination, inspiration and equality - and the PyeongChang 2018 motto “Passion. Connected” was also engraved in Braille in both Korean and English.
Sochi 2014
Sochi 2014 marked the first time the Heritage Flame was lit in Stoke Mandeville, UK, the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement. The ceremony at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Aylesbury celebrated the history of the Paralympic Games before more than 1,000 torchbearers carried the Paralympic torch before the flame made its entrance for the Opening Ceremony on 7 March.
The Paralympic Winter Games saw 541 Para athletes from 45 countries compete in 72 medal events across five sports. Para snowboard made its Paralympic debut as part of the alpine skiing program.
The unique shape of the torch drew inspiration from a feather of the phoenix, a firebird that represents good fortune and happiness in Russian folklore. The torch’s weight and centre of gravity were carefully calculated so as to make the torch as comfortable as possible for torchbearers to carry while running.
Vancouver 2010
The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, which took place from 12-21 March 2010, brought together more than 500 Para athletes from 44 National Paralympic Committees.
Ahead of the Opening Ceremony on 12 March, more than 600 torchbearers carried the flame during the relay in the host country. The torch visited 11 communities across Canada in 10 days, leading to a 24-hour long circular relay through downtown Vancouver before the Paralympic Cauldron was lit at BC Place.
Torino 2006
The Paralympic Winter Games will return to Italy for the first time since Torino 2006, which saw 474 Para athletes compete in 58 medal events across five sports. In Turin, the debut of wheelchair curling attracted large crowds, with Canada winning the inaugural event.
The blue torch was carried by 126 people, all the way from Verbania to Torino. The Opening Ceremony had an audience of about 25,000 people and was broadcast live to millions of viewers around the globe.
Salt Lake City 2002
The Paralympic flame of the Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games was carried by 100 runners in Utah, USA, and made stops in places including the All Abilities Play Park at Liberty Park and Shriner’s Hospital before reaching Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony.
Eric Weihenmeyer, the first blind man to successfully climb Mt. Everest, carried the Paralympic torch during the Opening Ceremony, which was based on the theme “Awaken the Mind - Free the Body - Inspire the Spirit”. With his guide dog, he passed the flame to US sit-skiers Muffy Davis and Chris Waddell, who lit the Paralympic cauldron together.
Nagano 1998
Nagano 1998, which took place in Japan from 5-14 March 1998, was the first-ever Paralympic Winter Games held outside of Europe. A total of 754 participants carried a torch over a distance of 118.1 kilometres before the cauldron was lit during the Opening Ceremony.
The theme of the Opening Ceremony was "hope" because the Nagano Games marked the first Paralympic Winter Games in Asia and the last in the 20th century. The Games featured 562 Para athletes from 31 countries competing in five sports - Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey and ice sledge speed skating.
Secure your tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
Milano Cortina 2026, which takes place from 6-15 March 2026, is set to be the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet. Ticket prices start at EUR 10 for children under 14, with approximately 89 per cent of the tickets available for EUR 35 or less.
For more information, please visit tickets.milanocortina2026.org
(The original story was published on 14 April 2025)
