The torch is being passed again and there's a reason why it started in England

The Olympic and Paralympic torches are an indispensible part of the athletic competitions that are held every four years around the globe. Public figures and renowned athletes are often involved in the relay, as we saw with Snoop Dogg and Greek footballer Zinedine Zidane. According to Olympics.com, this year's group of 11,000 torch-bearers were selected "based on their commitment, dedication and how they embody at least one of the core tenets of Paris 2024." These tenets are sport and the Games, communities and the collective. For the Olympic Games, the torch was lit in Olympia, Greece then sailed on the three-masted ship Belem to begin the journey from Marseilles to Paris.

The Stoke Mandeville connection

The Paralympic Games have a similar torch relay but will begin its journey in Stoke Mandeville, England. Why the difference? Because the Olympic Games originated with devotion to the gods of Mount Olympus, but the Paralympics were the brainchild of a Dr. Ludwig Guttman at the Stoke Mandeville Military Hospital.

According to the Greek Reporter website, "Guttman had the idea of creating a sporting event that would help soldiers and victims of war recover at the hospital after World War Two." While they began as the Stoke Mandeville Games, 1960 saw the games become the Paralympics. They were held in Rome a week after the close of the Olympics.

That first set of games featured Great Britain's own Margaret Maughan, who won gold in archery and won three more gold medals and two silver medals in the four Games in which she competed. The most decorated Paralympian is American swimmer Trischa Zorn, whose 55 Paralympic medals include 42 gold medals.

The Paralympic Flame is to be lit on August 24 in Stoke Mandeville before beginning its journey to Paris for the opening of the Paralympic Games on August 28.