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Netherland’s Minister of Education Welcomes IMO 2011 Contestants

July 15, 2011

The 52nd International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) opens this weekend in Amsterdam. The competition, which Minister of Education Marja Van Bijsterveldt recently described as “the largest and oldest Olympiad for the exact sciences," will run from July 16-24.

The six members of the team that will represent the United States of America at the 2011 IMO are:
- Wenyu Cao, a senior at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts
- Benjamin Gunby, of Potomac, MD, a junior at Georgetown Day School in Washington, D.C.
- Xiaoyu He, a junior at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Acton, Massachusetts
- Mitchell Lee, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science/Tech in Alexandria, Virginia
- Evan O'Dorney, a senior at Venture Home School in Danville, California
- David Yang, a sophomore at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire

Sam Zbarsky, a sophomore at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, has been named as alternate.

 

A slideshow of past accomplishments of the students representing the United States 
at the 2011 International Mathematical Olympiad.
A slideshow of past accomplishments of the students representing
the United States at the 2011 International Mathematical Olympiad.

 

“The Netherlands takes great pride in hosting the 52nd International Mathematical Olympiad,” said Bijsterveldt in a recent press release.

“In order to reach their full potential, children must feel challenged,” she said. “Since 1959 the International Mathematical Olympiad has brought together the brightest stars, the most gifted pupils from around the world.”

“As a budding mathematician, what could be better than spending two weeks meeting people from all over the world,” she continued, “from different cultures and backgrounds, that share the same passion for mathematics? Isn’t it wonderful that young people can learn about cultural and national similarities and differences in this way? IMO participants carry this experience with them for the rest of their lives.”

Read her full statement.

Follow the 2011 IMO on Twitter and Facebook for updates during this year's competition.

Related articles:
The 2011 IMO team members have been announced! 
International Mathematical Olympiad News
2011 USAMO Winners Honored in Washington
USAMO News

Id: 
1156
Start Date: 
Friday, July 15, 2011