VISTA 2017 - News
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![Natalia Partyka competing in Rio de Janeiro](/sites/default/files/images/160914134252549_GettyImages-588939342.jpg)
Table tennis: Five things we learned in 2016
The sport saw the rise of a 16-year-old Paralympic champion, as well as an Egyptian player who captured much attention with his playing style.
Lithuanian Paralympic PR campaign wins major award
A campaign to raise awareness about Lithuanian Paralympians ahead of Rio 2016 scooped the country’s best sports communication campaign of the year.
![IPC Top 50 moments 2016 - 2 - landscape](/sites/default/files/images/161215111215650_02%2Blandscape%2B-%2BGetty.jpg)
No. 2: More medals for more countries
A total of 83 countries won at least one medal at Rio 2016, the most ever at a Paralympic Games.
![Australia's Chris Bond pushes down the court as USA's Josh Brewer reaches for the ball](/sites/default/files/images/160918215616140_Bogetti-Smith_Rio%2BParalympics_Rugby%2B18_20160918_0022.jpg)
Wheelchair rugby: Five things learned from 2016
Tokyo 2020 might see a shuffle in the final medal standings. Find out what else emerged from this year.
![No. 3 The IPC make a stand for clean sport](/sites/default/files/styles/video_crop_16_9/public/oembed_thumbnails/VI3PpMG-moBlSm8i2ToTtzf9esJROllcY_X3qA1Dmk0.jpg?itok=ymMObmur)
No. 3 The IPC make a stand for clean sport
On 7 August the IPC suspended the Russian Paralympic Committee for failure to fulfil its IPC membership obligations.
![Group of people pose in front of slopes](/sites/default/files/images/161228104736870_161228_PyeongChang%2B2018%2BPress%2BRelease_Photo%2B3.jpg)
Jeongseon Alpine Centre to host Para alpine skiing and snowboard in 2018
The IPC and PyeongChang agree to consolidate venue for Test Events and 2018 Paralympic Winter Games
![The mascot for the 2017 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships is a lynx](/sites/default/files/images/161221164041117_Finsterau%2BMascot_0.jpg)
Help name the mascot of Finsterau 2017
The organisers of the 2017 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships have revealed that a lynx will be an ambassador for the competition.
![Tao Zheng of China](/sites/default/files/images/161216091233135_GettyImages-176715012.jpg)
Zheng vows to only swim for pleasure in 2017
China’s most popular swimmer speaks on successfully defending his signature title, training schedule and his rivalry with teammate Qing Xu.
![No. 4 Images of the Paralympics go viral](/sites/default/files/styles/video_crop_16_9/public/oembed_thumbnails/k-v0IBrEv6pZhnM-UVGeDdWetAukNTAvVe_HYsMA6dk.jpg?itok=yIhxZhq0)
No. 4 Images of the Paralympics go viral
A two-minute long wheelchair tennis rally and an incredible table tennis shot are among the most viral videos from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Denysiuk’s difficult Rio exam
Despite winning a bronze at his Paralympic debut, the Ukrainian pistol hopeful did not meet his high expectations for the Games.
![A female sit-skier takes to the trails](/sites/default/files/images/161221184704685_Sini%2BPyy.jpg)
Finland’s Pyy: Why I love cross-country skiing
In the build-up to the 2017 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships, Sini Pyy gives us an insight into her love of the sport.
![No. 5 World’s strongest Paralympian raises bar higher](/sites/default/files/styles/video_crop_16_9/public/oembed_thumbnails/85KsZzykIXbAlNK8m7HJWnTuDBpH29MxEUat9dBayk8.jpg?itok=HmNDDicv)
No. 5 World’s strongest Paralympian raises bar higher
Iranian powerlifter Siamand Rahman delivered fans with the lift they had been waiting for, and went even further.
![Markus Salcher goes down the slope very fast, he seems to lose control](/sites/default/files/images/140308172559148_477220513.jpg)
Three things you did not know about Markus Salcher
As he builds up to compete at the 2017 Worlds, find out more about the Austrian downhill and super-G Paralympic champion.
![Top 50 No 6](/sites/default/files/styles/video_crop_16_9/public/oembed_thumbnails/BDrgVf20Tm1QWHToeZNwZRiE3Ht3U1tq-hh1h0b7C7U.jpg?itok=gnaGyYnO)
No. 6 Refugees make history at Rio 2016
Ibrahim Al-Hussein and Shahrad Nasajpour competed as part of an Independent Paralympic Athletes’ Team, spreading a message of hope for refugees with impairments.
![No. 7 Most decorated Paralympians](/sites/default/files/styles/video_crop_16_9/public/oembed_thumbnails/Liz7Ue1wA4CffEx3lTfIOkxIV4ug8gInUNt1eUIVwyQ.jpg?itok=1KRh5yRw)
No. 7 More bling for Boki
Ihar Boki left Rio as the most decorated Paralympian, while China once again dominated the medals table.
![Women in wheelchairs forming a circle on a basketball field](/sites/default/files/images/161012074918264_GettyImages-606989252.jpg)
Wheelchair basketball: Five things learned in 2016
The year saw development in Africa, as well as anticipating match-ups heading into the 2017 Europeans.
![No. 8 Top four in men’s 1,500m finish faster than Olympics](/sites/default/files/styles/video_crop_16_9/public/oembed_thumbnails/2GVwiy4KUUex1P2vl8DNP6Zo4xWQNHo_ZOVSKLmaftY.jpg?itok=jQ2Zr3Ca)
No. 8 Top four in men’s 1,500m finish faster than Olympics
The top four finishers in the men’s 1,500m T13 race at Rio 2016 will go down in history.
David Smith ready to handle ‘pressure’
The newly crowned BC1 individual Paralympic champion knows more medals brings pressure, but team support is key.
![Top 50 No 9](/sites/default/files/styles/video_crop_16_9/public/oembed_thumbnails/mAR07bJzcshkSgIsUVKdR1SedM2HzIJ30rv8Py-ay7E.jpg?itok=9tQ0Rwdc)
No. 9 Dias is fan favourite at Rio 2016
The Brazilian swimmer was the face of September’s Paralympic Games, winning four gold medals in front of joyous home crowds.
![Carlos Serrano Zarate COL takes the Gold Medal in a new World Record time in the Men's 100m Breaststroke.](/sites/default/files/images/160911000709053_serrano.jpg)
Colombian, Swedish athletes win national awards
Para Sport Sweden presented the nominees for the Para sport awards whilst Colombian newspaper El Espectador presented theirs.