They outclassed the entire world – Poles proved
the best in the 28th International Competition for Mathematical and
Logical Games in Paris. Our representatives won 11 medals, including 5 gold.
It’s the best result achieved by the Polish representation in the history of
this event.
They
outclassed the entire world, including the representations of France, Germany,
Italy, Tunisia, Nigeria, and Quebec. The competition was held at the Denis
Diderot University.
Signs of
euphoria filled the room when the results were announced – a large group of
Poles, including teachers and parents of the competitors welcomed the victory
of the Polish representation with rousing applause. Some of them took the
situation very emotionally, and one even burst into tears.
“We are a
really good team with exemplary
organization. We always come to Paris with outstanding mathematicians and they
never fail.” – explains Janusz Górniak,
DSc, from Wrocław University of Technology, the coach of the Polish
representation. “The youngest participants deserve special credit, as they
coped very well with most of the exercises. And they were very difficult.” –
emphasizes Górniak.
Competitors
from all over the world, divided into age categories, take part in the event. First
grade students of elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools,
university students, as well as participants of the “open” category, try to
resolve mathematical problems.
Polish
representation has taken part in the competition for 22 years. Academic staff
of Wrocław University of Technology is responsible for preparing the
competitors, and the University organizes the trip to France.
Mathematicians
from Wrocław University of Technology prepare the participants the whole year.
Many people are interested in the event. Each year about 800 people apply for
the participation in the competition. Last year, Polish representation achieved
an excellent result, winning a total of 10 medals. This year, they beat the
record and came with 11 medals, including 5 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze ones.
Edyta Brzozowska,
Paris
Translation: Dariusz
Więcławski
Detailed final standings of the competition are
available here.