IPC Scientific Committee Discusses VISTA 2009

The IPC Sports Science Committee (SSC) met in Vancouver with local scientific committee members last week, furthering the plans for the scientific programme of the VISTA 2009 Conference. The conference will take place in the city from 22 to 26 March 2009 and will be under the theme of “Paralympic Legacy and Innovation”. 24 Jun 2008 By IPC

The meeting saw the approval of keynote speakers and other subthemes that will be part of the major discussion next year. Other topics reviewed were the conference venue, logistical preparations, the budget and the social programme. Also, the Committee is now calling for abstracts for VISTA 2009, with an official deadline of 31 October 2008.

Furthermore, IPC Medical and Scientific Director Peter Van de Vliet met with Carla Qualthrough and Ian Buckley who are part of the VISTA 2009 Organizing Committee on behalf of the Canadian Paralympic Committee and 2010 Legacies Now.

On the following two days, the IPC SSC held its annual meeting and discussed the concept of thematic networks in sports science as a tool for strengthened research co-operation as well as identified the need to launch the call for papers for VISTA 2011 and 2013 soon.

The meeting was also a possibility to discuss knowledge dissemination to the Paralympic Movement and the continuation of the WADA Boosting Survey project. Additional action of the Committee was its final preparations in assisting and facilitating the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games research projects. A brainstorming on education, with the idea to launch workshops and longer academy-like programmes for coaches and trainers for regional events and conferences concluded the meeting.