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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Israel's science teams conclude olympiad season with record 26 medals
The Education Ministry and the Maimonides Fund's Future Scientists Center proudly announced the final tally as the last three teams of the season returned. Israel's national science teams have concluded the international Olympiad season with an unprecedented haul of 26 medals, including 8 gold, 13 silver, and 5 bronze, along with one honorable mention. This impressive achievement was capped by the return of three teams from the International Biology Olympiad (IBO), the International Physics Olympiad (IPHO), and the European Girls' Olympiad in Informatics (EGOI), contributing 12 new medals to the national tally. The Education Ministry and the Maimonides Fund's Future Scientists Center, which lead the training of these national teams, proudly announced the final tally as the last three teams of the season returned. Who won what? In the International Biology Olympiad (IBO), held in the Philippines with 298 students from 77 countries, Israel's team secured four medals: one gold, two silver, and one bronze. Notably, this marks the first time an Israeli Biology team member has won a gold medal since Israel began participating in the IBO. Gold was awarded to Sagi Axelrad from Ma'orot, a 11th-grade student at Beer Tuvia Comprehensive High School. Silver medals went to Shira Gross, a 12th-grade student from Ramat Gan at Amit Ulpana in Givat Shmuel, and Hadar Kaiser, a 12th-grade student from Hod Hasharon at Mosinzon High School. Daniel Goldschmid, a 12th-grade student from Jerusalem at ORT Givat Ram, earned a bronze medal. The Biology team trained at Tel Aviv University Youth University and the Faculty of Life Sciences at Tel Aviv University, led by Academic Director Prof. Abdelsalam Azam, Head Coach Dr. Yair Pozniak, Avinoam Ratzabi, Natasha Shpolansky, and Dr. Carmel Bar. The European Girls' Olympiad in Informatics (EGOI), held in Germany, saw 227 competitors from 70 countries. The Israeli girls' team earned three medals: one silver, two bronze, and an honorable mention. Over two days of competition, students faced four algorithmic problems daily, requiring out-of-the-box thinking and coding solutions. Maya Cohen, an 11th-grade student from Tel Aviv at Kfar Hayarok School, won a silver medal. Bronze medals were awarded to Maya Sarig, an 11th-grade student from Jerusalem at Leyada High School, and Olga Basov, an 11th-grade student from Haifa at Kiryat Gat High School Gimmel. Lia Samoilov, a 10th-grade student from Tel Aviv at Amal Lady Davis School, received an honorable mention. The Informatics team trained at Bar Ilan University's University Center for Youth, with Academic Director Dr. Avshalom Elmalah, Head Coach Ron Rivchin, and Coach Maayan Salomon. In the International Physics Olympiad (IPHO), held in France, Israel's team won five medals: one gold and four silver, competing against 432 competitors from 87 countries. Alon Hart, a 12th-grade student from Jerusalem at Leyada High School, won a gold medal. Silver medalists included Eitan Rotman, an 11th-grade student from Netanya at Eldad High School; Yuval Moses, a 12th-grade student from Tel Aviv at Gymnasia Herzliya; Noa Ben Israel, a 12th-grade student from Petah Tikva at Ehud Ha'Am High School; and Amit Lanis, a 12th-grade student from Sde Hemed at Kfar Hayarok School. The Physics team trained at the Hoshidman Center for Science-Oriented Youth at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, led by Academic Director Prof. Oleg Krichevsky, Head Coach Pavel Radzivilovsky, and coaches Ayal Valach, Reut Goldberg, and Itamar Hasson. Israeli politicians congratulated the teams Education Minister Yoav Kisch lauded the consistent excellence: "In recent months, we are seeing Israel's students again and again prevail – in Olympiads for Physics, Biology, Computer Science – in every international arena they have entered.' He emphasized that "boys and girls, from diverse communities and schools across the country, are breaking new ground and touching the forefront of global science.' Kisch attributed these achievements primarily to the students' "talent – curiosity, sharp thinking, determination," but also to the "believing gaze, guiding hand, teacher, mentor, scientist – someone who stood by them and said: 'You can'.' He affirmed, "This path proves itself, and we will continue to invest in it – so that more and more students find themselves one day at the forefront. This is their future, and ours.' Yarom Ariav, Chairman of the Maimonides Fund's Future Scientists Center, expressed immense national pride: "The achievements in the international science Olympiad season evoke tremendous national pride – Israel's students, male and female, have repeatedly demonstrated exceptional abilities and have gained international recognition at the highest level.' He stressed that these results are "not accidental; they are the result of many years of investment, training, perseverance, determination, curiosity, excellence, and boundary-breaking abilities.' Ariav concluded, "These wonderful students will greatly influence the future of us all, in which, thanks to them, there is great hope. We will continue to invest with the Education Ministry and academic institutions in the future generation.' Prof. Abdelsalam Azam, Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences at Tel Aviv University and Academic Director of the Israeli Biology team, expressed pride in their role: "We are proud to be an integral part of the important Biology Olympiad project. Year after year, we see that the best of our youth are integrating into this project, which will encourage the new generation of scientists.' Prof. Arieh Zaban, President of Bar-Ilan University, commented on the girls' team's achievements: "Israel's girls' computer science team that trained at Bar-Ilan University fills us with great pride all year and especially in such moments. Through innovation, excellence, and resilience, they tell the Israeli story on the global stage.' Prof. Daniel Haimovitz, President of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, addressed the Physics team's success: "The impressive achievements of the young Physics team, led by the Hoshidman Center for Scientific Excellence and in cooperation with the Maimonides Fund's Future Scientists Center and the Education Ministry, once again demonstrate the enormous potential inherent in Israel's young generation.' He asserted that "a country that strives to ensure its economic, security, and social future must consistently and deeply invest in cultivating scientists and engineers from a young age.' Prof. Haimovitz affirmed that Ben-Gurion University of the Negev "sees a mission in educating for scientific excellence and leads this vision in practice, together with our partners, for the future of the State of Israel.' Shira Gros, a silver medalist from the Biology Olympiad, shared her pride with The Jerusalem Post following her victory. "Participating in an international competition is always exciting, and representing Israel is both an honor and a mission — especially in the past two years. I always say that behind every miracle lies hard work. Hard work makes the miracle ours — something we have a part in. I feel incredibly honored and happy to represent Israel, now more than ever." Solve the daily Crossword
Arab News
6 days ago
- Science
- Arab News
Saudi team wins 4 medals at 2025 International Physics Olympiad
PARIS: Saudi Arabia's National Physics Team won four medals at the 55th International Physics Olympiad held in Paris from July 17 to 25, the Saudi Press Agency reported Friday. Mazen Al-Shakhs won a silver medal while students Hussein Al-Saleh, Mohammed Al-Arfaj, and Ali Al-Hassan collectively earned three bronze medals. The latest medal haul has raised the Kingdom's total tally in this international competition to seven silver medals, 23 bronze medals, and 22 certificates of appreciation. This year's competition saw 425 students from 85 countries competing. Saudi Arabia's achievement culminates the intensive training provided to the students by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education, and with support from exclusive sponsor Saudi Aramco. The IPHO is an annual competition for high school students, with each national delegation allowed up to five student competitors plus two leaders. Like in other Olympiads, member countries take turns hosting the competition. It was first held in Warsaw, Poland in 1967. Last year, it was held in Isfahan, Iran. In 2026, the host will be Bucaramanga, Colombia. In the event's 58-year history, China has emerged as the most dominant, with Russia, South Korea, Taiwan and United States completing the top 5.
