Before Queensland gets the sporting Olympics in Brisbane 2032, the Olympics of mathematics hits the state this week, with the world's smartest young maths minds descending on the Sunshine Coast to represent their countries and compete for Medals.
The Australian Maths Trust (AMT), on behalf of the Australian mathematics community, is excited and honoured to host the 66th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) which officially starts on Monday.
It will be the second time since the event began in 1959 that Australia has hosted the prestigious event, the first being Canberra in 1988, when a 12-year-old Australian mathematician, Terence 'Terry' Tao, became the youngest ever winner of a gold medal at IMO. Terry is now widely acknowledged as one of the world's greatest mathematicians and will be attending IMO 2025 as Patron of the IMO to give a special guest lecture to the participating students.
635 students from 114 countries have just arrived for the prestigious competition which takes place on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, from 10-20 July 2025. This is the largest number ever to attend an IMO competition. The official competition exams run from Tuesday 15th July and will be held at the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre at Novotel Twin Waters.
"IMO brings 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 is about as big as it gets for school-age mathematics in Australia, we are excited to see what these students can achieve including our own Australian team which includes students from New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland," Mr Clapper continued.
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 brings mathematics to the forefront. These students all work incredibly hard and it's a testament to their dedication to make it to IMO. More than a maths competition – and the competition will no doubt be tough – IMO presents the opportunity for the over 600 students and the AMT to meet the next generation of problem solvers, share meals and cultural experiences, and learn together," Mr Clapper continued.
"These students represent the brightest and keenest maths minds in the world with their results from IMO setting them up for entry into the world's best universities. All of these students quickly become highly contested employment prospects back in their own countries and across the globe with many past competitors attracting attention from some of the world's biggest employers including leading tech and financial companies.
"We welcome IMO participants from all over the world, and we hope all the students, their leaders and mentors, enjoy their time on the beautiful Sunshine Coast and soak up everything that Australia has to offer. We know they will make invaluable connections along their IMO journey," Mr 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.
