MEDIA RELEASE July 5, 2002

The Canadian Mathematical Society will introduce the 2002 Canadian International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) Team at Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. JohnÂ’s on Wednesday, July 10, 2002. The send-off and news conference will be held at 12 noon at the Alexander Murray Building, Earth Sciences Boardroom - ER 4002. Parking is available in Lot 16.

Joined by local students, friends, sponsors and invited guests, the 2002 Canadian IMO Team are preparing to depart for the 43rd Annual IMO in Glasgow, Scotland. Well wishers include the Honourable Sandra Kelly, minister of youth services and post-secondary education, Dr. Axel, Meisen, president, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Dr. Graham Wright, executive director, Canadian Mathematical Society, the organization responsible for the selection and training of Canada's IMO team.

"These students have demonstrated the exceptional problem solving skills and creativity that is crucial to compete against the very best at the international level," said Dr. Graham Wright,. "They represent the great potential of students across the country and all experience an enormous pride in representing Canada on the international stage."

The Canadian Team comprises six high school students chosen from more than 200,000 students who have written various local, provincial, national and international contests. Team members and their coaches are attending a training camp at Memorial University from July 7th to July 21st. A few select students from Newfoundland and Labrador who have excelled in math competitions are also attending the IMO training camp as observers for the first week.

The 2002 Canadian Olympiad "mathletes" are: Robert Barrington Leigh, Old Scona Academic High School, Edmonton, Alberta; Olena Bormashenko, Don Mills Collegiate Institute, Toronto, Ontario; Alexander Fink, Queen Elizabeth High School, Calgary, Alberta; Ralph Furmaniak, John Paul II Secondary School, London, Ontario; Tianyi (David) Han, Woburn Collegiate Institute, Toronto, Ontario and Roger Mong, Don Mills Collegiate Institute Toronto, Ontario. The team leader is Dr. Arthur Baragar (University of Las Vegas - Nevada), the deputy team leader is Mr. Naoki Sato (Toronto), the leader - observer is Dr. Bill Sands (University of Calgary), and the deputy team leader - observer is Robert Morewood (Burnaby Secondary School).

Canada will challenge defending champions China and more than 80 other countries. Canada won one gold and four bronze medals at the 2001 IMO in Washington, D.C. This year's contest will take place on July 24 and 25th and the results will be announced on July 29th.

Students compete individually and each day involves answering three questions in 4.5 hours using their problem-solving skills and without the use of a calculator. The International Jury initially prepares the contest paper in English, French, Russian and German and then the paper is painstakingly translated into over 40 languages, with enormous effort taken to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the questions.

Dr. Graham P. Wright
Executive Director
Canadian Mathematical Society
Cell: (613) 290-3046
E-mail: director@cms.math.ca

or

Deborah Inkpen
Acting Manager
News Service
Memorial University
737-8665
inkpend@mun.ca