The 66th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is now officially underway as the opening ceremony took place earlier today, Monday 14 July, at the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre at Novotel Twin Waters.
The Australian Maths Trust (AMT), on behalf of the Australian mathematics community, is excited and honoured to host the event which has drawn 635 students from 114 countries. The students will undertake nine hours of exams over the next two days, 15th and 16th July. IMO is the largest and most prestigious of all the international Olympiads, having grown from seven countries in 1959 to over a hundred each year. Australia has participated since 1981.
"IMO attracts the brightest young minds from around the world. These are students from years 9 – 12 or equivalent from over 100 nations. The competition represents the culmination of many years of mathematical endeavour and hundreds of attempts at solving problems," said Mike Clapper, CEO of the Australian Maths Trust (AMT).
"This year's IMO Australian team has already been getting into the competitive spirit, as the Australian team took on the team from Great Britain for some friendly side competition ahead of the main exams. Considered 'the ashes' of IMO, both nations undertake some friendly questions to get their minds into gear, and this year it's Great Britain who've taken the 'ashes' title, pipping Australia by just a single mark in a close-fought competition. Congratulations go to Great Britain" Mr Clapper continued.
"We wish all the IMO students all the best for the exams, and we look forward to finding out the results when the students and their countries are presented on Saturday 19th July," Mike Clapper concluded.
IMO 2025 is made possible by AMT's Principal Sponsor XTX Markets, a leading algorithmic trading firm, and proud donor to maths education globally, along with other sponsors including the Sunshine Coast Council and Visit Sunshine Coast.
