Six Weeks Until VISTA Takes Place in Bonn, Germany

There are just six weeks to go until some of the leading experts in Paralympic Sport gather in Bonn, Germany for the fifth VISTA conference organized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Around 200 sports scientists and researchers, classifiers, coaches, trainers and sport administrators, who have an interest in Paralympic Sport, will gather for the four day conference (31 August – 3 September) whose theme this year is "A multi-disciplinary approach to Paralympic success".

Focusing on giving a better understanding of Paralympic Classification and how Paralympic Sport can continue to promote opportunities for sports participation, the conference aims to provide a platform to exchange research and expertise in Paralympic Sport and the Paralympic Movement.

During the conference there will be three keynote addresses which will open each day.

The first will be delivered on Thursday 1 September by Liz Nichols, CEO of UK Sport and will concentrate on organizational development on Paralympic Sport.

Friday (2 September) will see Professor Yves Vanlandewijck, Chairperson of the IPC Sports Science Committee give a presentation on evidence based classification, before Professor Mike McNamee from Swansea University, Great Britain give the final keynote on Saturday (3 September) morning. His address will concern the challenges and opportunities for the Paralympic Movement: ethical and conceptual.

Following the keynote addresses on each day of the conference there will be an opportunity for delegates to attend a number of invited symposia and free communications, as well as benefit from networking opportunities.

Although the conference is just six weeks away, there are a limited number of places, priced €300, still available for the conference which will take place at Bonn’s Gustav Stresemann Institute.

The cost covers attendance at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well as the conference, and all delegates will receive a free copy of ‘The Paralympic Athlete’, a new publication which provide practical information on the issues and factors of performance in Paralympic Sport.

To register for the conference and read the full programme of events, please visit www.paralympic.org/events

The conference is supported by the City of Bonn and a grant from the European Funds for Regional Development (EFRE).