Dear friends!
I am very glad that the 51stInternational Mathematical Olympiad will take place in Astana on July 2-14, 2010.
I would like to remind that the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is the most prestigious and grandiose annual competition among school students. It is also the oldest one among the international scientific Olympiads – the first IMO was held in Romania in 1959. Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, German Democratic Republic and the USSR were invited to take part in the Olympiad. In the following years the number of participating countries increased. Thus at present nearly all large countries of the world take part in the International Mathematical Olympiad.
At the moment the IMO database contains information about 12267 contestants from more than 100 states.
We are proud that Kazakhstan will host this global-level competition. The decision on holding of the 51st IMO in a young independent Central Asian state proves that Kazakhstan is serious about encouragement of young talents. By the Decree of our President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Republican Scientific-Practical Center “Daryn” under the Ministry of Education and Science has been working in Kazakhstan since 1998. It is the only brand new scientific educational institution for gifted children on the post-soviet space.
Summer 2010 Astana will gather young talented mathematicians from the CIS member states as well as more than 1500 best Olympians from all over the world. You have common youthful ardor and strong wish to become winners. Young people like you are able to achieve success in business, politics, culture, make scientific discoveries. Such intellectual heroes like you glorify their countries. Success to your efforts! Show all your will, zeal and skills.
Believe in victory!
I would like also to note that the Olympiad is not just a competition, but a holiday. I wish this event remain in memory of all contestants as an unforgettable holiday. It will be a fascinating time full of mathematical feasts, new meetings and friendly relations. Our foreign guests will have an opportunity to learn more about our country and its beautiful capital city Astana.
Welcome all to Kazakhstan! Welcome all to Astana!
Yours faithfully,
Zhansseit Tuimebayev,
Minister of Education and Science of Kazakhstan
