Three days before the opening of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the Council of Europe kicked off the start of the Paralympic Torch Relay in Strasbourg, at a ceremony organised under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Organisation, Marija Pejčinović Burić.
Carried by Jean-Paul Greth, President of the Comité Départemental Handisport 68 for 13 years, after a 40-year career as a teacher of specialised physical activity for disabled sports, the first torch was lit on the forecourt of the Council of Europe before continuing its journey in the Parc de l’Orangerie.
The Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly, Despina Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis, the President of the Collectivité européenne d’Alsace, Frédéric Bierry, the President of Eurométropole, Pia Imbs, and the Mayor of Strasbourg, Jeanne Barseghian, participated in this ceremony.
On arrival in France, the Paralympic Flame has been divided into 12 Flames welcomed simultaneously in the same number of locations, including Strasbourg.
The Council of Europe, which aims at making sport healthy, ethical and accessible to all, welcomed the Olympic flame on 26 June and the paralympic flame today.
Speech by the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly
The Council of Europe and sport: strategic priorities for 2022-2025
Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport (8-10 October, Porto)
