The Canadian Mathematical Society will introduce the 2004 Canadian International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) Team at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) on June 25. The IMO Send-off Reception and news conference will be held at 12 noon at the salle des Boiseries de l'UQAM, room J-2805, Pavillon Judith-Jasmin, 405 Ste-Catherine East. Joined by local students, friends, sponsors and invited guests, the 2004 Canadian IMO Team are preparing to depart for the 45th Annual IMO in Athens, Greece. The media can interview the team members between 11:00 and 11:45 am.

Well wishers include Pierre Leroux, Vice-Dean of Research, Faculty of Science-UQAM, François Bergeron, Director, Centre de recherches mathématiques (CRM), Robert Bédard, Director, Department of Mathematics and Christiane Rousseau, President of the 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 Christiane Rousseau, "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 seminar at UQAM for two weeks prior to their departure. A few select students from Québec, who have excelled in mathematics competitions, are also attending the IMO training seminar as observers for the first few days.

The 2004 Canadian Olympiad "mathletes" are: Oleg Ivrii, Don Mills Collegiate Institute, Toronto (Ontario); János Kramár, University of Toronto Schools, Toronto (Ontario); Dong Uk (David) Rhee, McNally High School, Edmonton (Alberta); Peng Shi, Sir John A. MacDonald Collegiate Institute. Toronto (Ontario); Jacob Tsimerman, University of Toronto Schools, Toronto (Ontario); and Yufei Zhao, Don Mills Collegiate Institute, Toronto (Ontario).

Canada will challenge defending champions, Bulgaria and more than 80 other countries. Canada won two gold and three bronze medals at the 2003 IMO in Tokyo, Japan. This year's contest will take place on July 12 and 13 and the awards presented at the Closing Ceremony on July 18th.

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, German, Chinese and Spanish and then the paper is painstakingly translated into over 40 other languages, with enormous effort taken to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the questions.

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