The first flame, known as the Paralympic Heritage Flame, was lit in Stoke Mandeville, England, the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, on Monday.

On July 29, 1948, Ludwig Guttmann, a German-born English neurosurgeon in charge of the National Spinal Injuries Unit at Stoke Mandeville, organized an archery contest among 16 disabled patients, which evolved into the Paralympic Games.

Countess Howe, lord-lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, said the lighting of the Paralympic Heritage Flame will continue the link to Stoke Mandeville, and its story will be shared with athletes competing in Beijing.