“Each edition VISTA grows in size, scale and credibility, and I am confident VISTA 2017 will build on the success of previous years.”

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced a call for bids to host VISTA 2017, which will be the eighth edition of the world leading para-sports science conference.

This year’s conference will take place in Girona, Spain, and its theme is “Securing the future for young para-athletes.”

Since the first VISTA conference, which was held in Canada in 1993, the conference has developed a global reputation for bringing together some of the world’s most highly regarded sports scientists and experts in the field of sport for athletes with an impairment.

In 2013, VISTA took place in Bonn, Germany, the home city of the IPC. It attracted more than 200 participants from five continents who discussed the theme “equipment and technology in Paralympic sports.”

Dr. Peter Van de Vliet, the IPC’s Medical and Scientific Director, said: “VISTA 2017 will be the first major gathering of experts in Paralympic sport following the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games so there will be lots to discuss and many ideas from experts to share.

“Each edition VISTA grows in size, scale and credibility, and I am confident VISTA 2017 will build on the success of previous years.”

The VISTA conference is designed to promote and advance the mission, goals, objectives and reputation of the IPC and provides a platform for sport scientists to meet with experts in the field of sport for athletes with an impairment. Due to a need for greater opportunities to discuss and exchange knowledge, the VISTA Conference has become an important international event for elite sport for athletes with an impairment.

Targeting sport scientists and researchers, classifiers, coaches/trainers, sports administrators and athletes, VISTA aims to provide a forum for exchange on current information, research and expertise related to Paralympic sport and the Paralympic Movement.

The deadline for applications is 31 March 2015.