Six Greek high school students participating in the 65th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in Bath (July 11-22) brought back a gold, two silver, and three bronze medals, the Hellenic Mathematical Society (HMS) said on Monday.
“The high achievements of the last few years in international competitions continued this year as well, since all students distinguished themselves in a difficult and demanding two-day competition,” HMS said in a statement.
A total of 108 countries participated in the full program with 609 high school competitors, of whom 81 were female, according to the IMO site. It added that the first math Olympiad, which changes location every year, was held in 1959 in Romania with 7 countries participating.
The IMO is the World Championship Mathematics Competition for High School students and is held annually in a different country. The first IMO was held in 1959 in Romania, with 7 countries participating. It has gradually expanded to over 100 countries from 5 continents.
The content of the competition at IMO ranges from extremely difficult algebra and pre-calculus problems to problems on branches of mathematics not traditionally covered in secondary or high school and often not at the university level either, such as projective and complex geometry, functional equations, combinatorics, and well-grounded number theory of which extensive knowledge of theorems is required.
Mathematical education and training in Greece
The six students were selected through a national math competition held by the Society since 1934. This year’s competition included 12,000 contestants from high schools throughout Greece.
The winning team came from the following schools in Greece: Moraitis (1 gold); Elliniki Paideia and 3rd General High School of Pyrgos in the Peloponnese (2 silver); Anavryta, Experimental School of the University of Thessaloniki, General High School of Kanithos in Evia (3 bronze).
The team was led by HMS President and Professor Emeritus at the National Technical University of Athens (‘Polytechnio’) Anargyros Fellouris and University of Crete Assistant Professor Silouanos Brazitikos.
“The Hellenic Mathematical Society prepares and supports the efforts of these students, always on a voluntary basis, in the context of its aim to upgrade mathematical education and training in Greece,” the Society said, congratulating the students and thanking the Ministry of Education & Religions for its contribution.
Greek students have a great record at the International Math Olympiad
Greek students have excelled at the IMO in recent years. For example, in 2022 they won five medals, namely two silver and three bronze medals.
In 2019, three Greek university students swept the medals, winning one gold and two silver medals.
In 2018, at the 25th student competition IMC (International Mathematics Competition), George Kotsovolis, a student studying at the Mathematics Department of the University of Athens, won a gold medal.
It is widely accepted that during ancient times, Greeks played an important role in the development of mathematics.
Although most modern-day Greek mathematicians are not as famous as Pythagoras, Archimedes, or Euclid, their contribution to mathematics is still significant.
