Professor Wayne Derman announced as first VISTA 2025 keynote speaker
The South African’s keynote will focus on safeguarding the health of Paralympic Athletes 15 Aug 2025
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced one of the world’s leading medical specialists in sport and exercise medicine Professor Wayne Derman as the first of six keynote speakers for December’s VISTA 2025 Conference in Cairo, Egypt.
The theme of this year’s VISTA 2025 conference is “Developing Para Sport: Inclusion, Transformation, Health and Performance." Professor Derman, who serves as Head of the Division of Sport and Exercise Medicine at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and IPC Medical Director, will deliver a keynote titled: "Safeguarding the health of Paralympic Athletes: Insights and Innovations from Injury and Illness Surveillance over seven Paralympic Games".
To register for VISTA 2025 which takes place between 7-10 December 2025 and take advantage of the early bird registration offer, please click here.
“I’m really looking forward to delivering this keynote which will emphasise the critical importance of athlete health within the Paralympic Movement," Professor Derman said.
“During the talk, I will compare and contrast the health challenges faced by Olympic and Paralympic athletes, highlighting the specific risks associated with various impairment types, and look to what the future holds for Paralympic Sports Medicine.”
Drawing on comprehensive data from the last seven Summer and Paralympic Winter Games, the keynote will illustrate key trends and lessons learned, including variations in injury and illness rates across different sports, seasons, and athlete populations.
The keynote will further explore sport-specific injury and illness profiles, identifying which events and impairment groups are most at risk, and examining the underlying factors contributing to these patterns. Practical steps for reducing injury and illness—ranging from evidence-based medical and training interventions to policy changes and athlete education—will be discussed. The presentation will conclude by outlining a vision for the future of Para athlete health, underscoring the need for continued surveillance, international collaboration, and innovative approaches to safeguarding the wellbeing of all Paralympic competitors.
In addition to his roles at Stellenbosch University and at the IPC, Professor Derman is also a Travelling Professor at Lund University, Sweden; Co-Director of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Research Centre in South Africa; and leads the FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence in South Africa. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers, with a primary focus on injury and illness prevention in athletes, particularly those with disabilities.
VISTA 2025 is the eleventh edition of the IPC’s scientific conference and serves as a unique platform for the exchange of cutting-edge research, cross-disciplinary dialogue, and strategic collaboration. It will feature keynote presentations, symposia, oral and poster sessions, and will host the prestigious IPC Scientific Award ceremony. The conference brings together experts from diverse fields—including sports science, medicine, technology, sociology, policy, education, and ethics and integrity—to collectively shape the future of Para sport.
Registration for VISTA 2025 is now open, and until 30 September attendees can benefit from an early-bird registration offer priced EUR 375, and EUR 180 for students. Register now.
