The IMO is the world championship mathematics competition for youths younger than 20 years, hosted by a different country each year. The first IMO was held in 1959 in Romania, with seven countries participating. It has gradually expanded to over 100 countries from five continents.
The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF), which acts as the national office for mathematics education in the country, plays a major role in the preparation for the IMO. Prof Johann Engelbrecht, Executive Director of the SAMF, says that hosting this year's IMO is an opportunity to show the world that we are able to host world-class events and that we have top-class mathematicians.
Prof John Webb, of the University of Cape Town, who has served on the IMO's Advisory Board since 2001, has been appointed as the Director of the IMO 2014. He is extremely pleased with the number of countries that have registered to compete this year.
"Countries now have until 31 May to register contestants, and with up to six team members per country we expect around 600 of the world's top young mathematicians to visit the Mother City in July," he says. "South Africa is expected to announce the names of its team members towards the end of May."
The IMO 2014's main sponsors are the Department of Basic Education, Google, the South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL), and Sasol.
For more, go to www.imo2014.org.za.
