Martial arts actor Jackie Chan to carry Paralympic torch ahead of opening ceremony in Paris

New Delhi: Renowned martial arts actor and director Jackie Chan on Sunday was named as one of the torchbearers in the build up to the Paris Paralympics opening ceremony, which is scheduled on August 28.

The 70-year-old personality from Hong Kong is scheduled to carry the Paralympic flame on Wednesday afternoon in the French capital, the organising committee announced. Other personalities from French entertainment industries such as actor Elsa Zylberstein and dancer-choreographer Benjamin Millepied will also be part of the torch relay.

The Paralympic flame was lit on Saturday by British Paralympians Helene Raynsford and Gregor Ewan in Stoke Mandeville, a village which is 73 kilometers away from London. Stoke Mandeville is considered to be the birthplace of Paralympic Games.

According to the International Paralympic Committee, Dr. Ludwig Guttmann organised the first competition for wheelchair athletes July 29, 1948, which was also the day for the opening ceremony of the 1948 London Games. The competition was later named as the Stoke Mandeville Games by Dr Guttmann.

The flame arrived in France from United Kingdom through the Channel Tunnel on Sunday. French wheelchair fencing Paralympic medallist, Emmanuelle Assmann, carried the Flame in Channel Tunnel.

“It’s all about inscribing sport in the hearts of people with disabilities,” said French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera who was on hand to welcome the flame alongside Tony Estanguet, head of the organising committee, as reported by news agency AFP.

What is the journey of Paralympic flame?

According to a report by news agency Associated Press, the Paralympic flame travelled to France under English Channel for a four-day relay between Atlantic Ocean shores and Mediterranean beaches. The flame arrived France through Channel Tunnel to begin the Paralympic relay.

A group of 24 British athletes have embarked on the underwater journey, which inludes 50-kilometer long (30-mile) tunnel. The British athletes will later hand the flame to 24 French athletes, who will bring it from the sea in Calais. The flame will then be used to lit 12 Paralympic torches, 11 for the 11-day competition and other for the opening ceremony.

The 70-year-old Jackie Chan is scheduled to carry the Paralympic flame on Wednesday afternoon in the French capital, the organising committee announced. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today