Millie Knight, 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 earlier today. 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 kickstart 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.
I’m not really one to celebrate myself, so my course tutor at King’s was 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.– Millie Knight (First year pre-registration MSc Physiotherapy)
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.– Millie Knight (First year pre-registration MSc Physiotherapy)
Having retired from skiing in 2023, Millie took up martial arts during her undergraduate studies. Currently in her first year of a Master’s in Physiotherapy at King’s, Millie is balancing lectures and placements with training and teaching martial arts twice a week.
“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.”
As for celebrating her torch lighting, Millie added: “I don’t really have any other plans other than getting my next essay over the line."
Here’s to Millie carrying the fire of the Paralympic flame into her studies and beyond!