The Paralympic torch was launched at Cape Dezhnev

Sochi Paralympic flame was lit at Cape Dezhnev – the easternmost point of the Eurasian continent, which is the first mainland place in Russia  to see the sun each day.

The 17-year-old Andrey Gladkov — a medalist of the London Paralympic Games in swimming and a winner of the Order  For Services to the Fatherland of the 2nd degree, and Valentina Etton — a multiple prize winner of Chukotka competitions and championships in north decathlon were the first torchbearers.

In total over one thousand torchbearers will take part in Paralympics-2014 Torch Relay.

The relay will pass through 46 cities in all eight federal districts of Russia. Stoke Mandeville (Buckinghamshire county, the UK) will be involed in 2014 Paralympic Games Torch Relay, in recognition of the town unique position as the birthplace of the Paralympic Movementnt. This was announced by the International Paralympic Committee last August.  It was in 1948 that Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a German spinal injuries doctor, created the Stoke Mandeville Games, an event that was the forerunner for the Paralympic Games that were first held in Rome, Italy in 1960.

The Olympic Torch relay will end on March 7 at the Fischt stadium in Sochi where the 2014 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony will be held.