King's College London

Millie, who won four medals for ParalympicsGB in the alpine skiing slalom, super G, and downhill events, ignited the flame at the birthplace of the Paralympics, Stoke Mandeville. The flame will now be transported 2,000km across Europe to Italy, for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

The flame is traditionally lit at Stoke Mandeville, near Aylesbury – where the Paralympic movement first began almost 50 years ago to aid spinal injury rehabilitation.

Describing the location as the “Athens of the Paralympics”, Millie said: “It is such a privilege to kick start the games at this special place”.

Millie held the honour of lighting the Paralympic flame, alongside Andrea Macrì, captain of the Italian Para Ice Hockey national team – who will continue its journey to mainland Europe. The flame will be carried by a total of 501 torchbearers, with Millie’s lighting of the flame being projected at the Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games opening ceremony on 6 March.

“None of my coursemates or tutors knew I was a Paralympic medallist”

Millie, in her first year of a physiotherapy Master’s at King’s College London, said: “I’m not really one to celebrate myself, so my course lecturers at King’s were rather shocked when I said I couldn’t make a meeting due to lighting the Paralympic flame! My course mates were also unaware of my achievements until the news broke. No one knew I was a Paralympic medallist.”

Making her paralympic debut at Sochi in 2014, aged just 15, Millie was the youngest ever competitor at the Winter Paralympics. She went on to win three medals at the Pyongchang Paralympic Winter Games in 2018, two silver and one bronze, and another bronze medal at Beijing four years later.

Millie later turned her hand to martial arts – selected to represent England in Taekwondo and Karate. Impressing in both, she became World Champion in Taekwondo, Commonwealth champion in Karate.

Millie lost the majority of the sight in both eyes due to an infection at a young age. She took up skiing at age seven while on holiday in Meribel, France, encouraged by her mother, who also became her first guide.

“My mum will be watching me light the flame and I’m sure she will be really proud of me,” added Millie. “The whole paralympic community is so supportive, although there is of course the heated competition to drive you, there is also the upmost respect for other athletes. I still feel very much part of the community, despite not taking part in these games.”

Balancing studies, representing Great Britain and inspiring the next generation

Having retired from skiing in 2023, Millie took up martial arts during her undergraduate studies. Currently in her first year of a Master’s course in Physiotherapy at King’s College London, she returns to her family home in Ashford, Kent twice a week to run a Karate club.

“I love the community of the club. Of course it’s not easy balancing my studies with my martial arts competing and teaching, but it’s a lot easier than travelling abroad for skiing competitions while in the middle of my GCSEs!

“I’m also really enjoying living in London while studying at King’s – though it’s very different to my rural upbringing. I regularly go to the theatre, it’s become another passion of mine.

“I’m not sure what I want to do in the future but I really enjoy the diversity that physiotherapy brings, not just the obvious links it has to my sporting background. I could help people from all walks of life, from elite athletes to stroke survivors. I aspire to the fantastic physios who have helped me on my own sporting journey.”