Over 1500 delegates from around the world have congregated at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort this week for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), the world championship mathematics competition for high school students.
The International Mathematical Olympiad is widely regarded as the most prestigious mathematical competition in the world and is being held over 10 days (10-20 July), involving some 635 students from 114 countries, the largest number of countries to participate at IMO since it began in 1959.
Australia has been competing in the event since 1981, and last hosted the event in Canberra in 1988.
Awards are given to the top-scoring 50% of the individual contestants. In 1981, Australian delegate, 12-year-old Terence Tao, won a gold medal. He was the youngest-ever student to win gold and has gone on to be a world-leading mathematician. He will share his experiences as a guest speaker at this year’s Olympiad.
The Olympiad has been organised by the Australian Maths Trust, and supported by XTX Markets, the Australian Department of Industry Science and Resources, Sunshine Coast Council, and Visit Sunshine Coast.
Visit Sunshine Coast Head of Business Events, Ali Thompson, said that the Olympiad was one of the biggest non-sporting events to be held on the Sunshine Coast.
“The Olympiad delivers an immediate economic boost to the Sunshine Coast, estimated at over $6 million, while in the longer-term it demonstrates the region’s ability to stage large-scale business events,” said Ms Thompson
“The Sunshine Coast has transformed in the past decade, attracting many national companies to establish themselves in the region, and the International Mathematical Olympiad aligns very well with the growth of our knowledge economy.
“And from an Olympiad of the mind, the Sunshine Coast will co-host an Olympiad of sporting prowess in 2032, when we host a number of the sports in the Olympic Games.”
Key facts about IMO 2025:
- Website: https://imo2025.au/
- Dates: 10-20 July 2025
- Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Award ceremony: 19 July 2025 – Gold, Silver and Bronze medals awarded
- Australian team: 6 students (4 male, 2 female) was announced at Australian Parliament House on 23 June
- History: Australia previously hosted only once before, in 1988; Terence Tao won gold at that event at the age 12. He was presented his Gold Medal by Bob Hawke.
- Organisers: Australian Maths Trust, supported by XTX Markets, the Australian Department of Industry Science and Resources, Sunshine Coast Council, Visit Sunshine Coast. See website for full list of sponsors.
- Four Guest Speakers: Terence Tao (youngest ever Gold medal winner at IMO and currently one of the brightest mathematicians in the world), Eddie Woo, Cheryl Praeger and Burkard Polster are giving lectures at the event.
- Mascot: The IMO 2025 mascot is a kangaroo. Algebaroo was named by local Year 10 student Malia P as part of a competition for schools in the Sunshine Coast region.
IMO in numbers:
- Over 1500 people are expected to attend IMO 2025
- Over 635 students from 114 countries attending IMO 2025. Largest number of countries to participate at IMO since it began in 1959
- Australia has been participating in IMO since 1981
- 61,200 trees have been planted to offset the carbon emissions created by the event
- 35,000 meals will be prepared over 12 days, 33% of which will be vegetarian
- Two days of individual problem-solving; three questions per day; 4.5 hours each day
- Delegates will be staying across six hotels in the Sunshine Coast
Background: https://youtu.be/HWSSo_LV0qc
