Paralympics, the journey of the flame from Stoke Mandeville to Verona kicks off

"Giovanni, I legitimately see you a little tired. Congratulations on how you organised this first part of Milan Cortina 2026. Now rest, because the best is yet to come." This is how Andrew Parsons - president of the Ipc, the International Paralympic Committee - greeted the president of the Organising Committee of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Giovanni Malagò at the Passion Without Limits event organised by Allianz to celebrate 20 years of partnership with the International Paralympic Committee. It is Monday morning, a few hours ago the world and Italia greeted - in the historic setting of the Arena di Verona - the extinguishing of the Olympic torch, and in Milan they are already looking beyond. Because on Tuesday 24 February from Stoke Mandeville, the small town on the outskirts of London where in 1948 the German (later naturalised British) neurologist Ludwig Guttmann first had the idea of organising the Games for people with disabilities, another torch will leave: the Paralympic torch. It will arrive in Turin to cross Italy and land - after an 11-day journey - at the Arena in Verona. There, testifying to the continuity of vision and values that the Games share, Friday 6 March will see the start of the14th Winter Paralympics, which will continue until 15 March.

"One cannot organise the best Olympics, and so it seems to have been our work, without organising great Paralympics," Malagò replied with satisfaction, for whom "The Paralympics that are about to begin represent a precious moment for Italia: an opportunity to show not only the organisational capacity of the country, but above all the strength of a movement that, over the years, has been able to grow, innovate and change the way we look at sport and people. "With more than 600 athletes ready to compete between Milan and our mountains, the Paralympics will offer the public stories, gestures and performances that can deeply inspire. Because the value of the Games is not only measured in medals, but in the ability to convey determination, courage and possibility,' the President of the Organising Committee of the Games continues.

He is echoed by Giunio De Sanctis, president of the Italy Paralympic Committee (Cip), for whom the goal is to replicate the Olympic success. Not only in terms of competitiveness on the slopes and in the arenas - there will be six Paralympic disciplines in the competition: Paralympic biathlon, wheelchair curling, para ice hockey, Paralympic alpine skiing, Paralympic cross-country skiing and Paralympic snowboarding - but also, if not above all, in the ability to 'bring many people with disabilities to play sport. We can do things of great social impact, as well as sports,' he assures.

"Change starts with sport", as Parsons likes to repeat, and then goes further. Much further. He, who expects the Games to be even more well attended than the previous edition, marked by the Covid and many logistical difficulties beyond athletic endeavours, hopes that the Paralympic Games will be able to leave a legacy to Italia of more accessible cities for all. He gives thanks because 'from 2006 onwards, Allianz's commitment to the Paralympic Movement has been unwavering. Their support has helped us bring Paralympic sport to millions of people around the world and has played a key role in raising the profile of the athletes, competitions and stories that define our Movement. Over the past two decades, this partnership has allowed the Ipc to grow into the organisation it is today,' he says. A support that, according to Parsons, "has helped secure the future of the Paralympic Movement and prepared us for the best.

"As an Italian I am proud of what our Italia has shown the world, and as a businessman I am equally proud of how much Allianz has been putting in - for five years, not just a few months - to support the organisation, security and magic of Milan Cortina 2026. Now the dream continues with the Paralympic Games," says Giacomo Campora, Chief Executive Officer of Allianz S.p.A.