[cmath] 49th International Mathematical Olympiad Team: Canada's Olympic "mathletes" at the Fields Institute

[Alan Kelm]

MEDIA RELEASE - June 27, 2008

49th International Mathematical Olympiad Team
Canada's Olympic "mathletes" at the Fields Institute

Six of Canada's top minds in high school mathematics will be in training 
at Wilfrid Laurier University from June 27th in preparation for the 49th 
International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), which will be held in Madrid, 
Spain, from July 10-22, 2008.

The Send-off Reception and an interactive demonstration will take place at 
the Fields Institute, 222 College Street, Toronto, on June 27th, starting 
at 11:00 am. The team will be attending a special IMO Training Seminar at 
Wilfrid Laurier University from June 27 to July 9.

Attending the Send-off Reception will be representatives from the Ontario 
Ministry of Education, the Spanish Consulate, sponsors from both the 
public and private sectors, the Fields Institute, Wilfrid Laurier 
University and the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS).

"These six students have demonstrated the exceptional problem solving 
skills and creativity that is essential to compete against the very best 
at the international level," said Dr. Tom Salisbury, President of the 
Canadian Mathematical Society, the organization responsible for the 
selection and training of Canada's IMO team. "They represent the best of 
our students and will be excellent ambassadors for Canada."

The Canadian IMO team members - including four from Ontario and two from 
Alberta - were selected from among more than 200,000 students in grades 
7-12 who participated in local, provincial and national mathematics 
contests. While in Madrid, they will be pitting their skills against more 
than 540 of the world's best math students from nearly 100 countries.

The 2008 Canadian IMO team consists of Yan (Cynthia) Li, Dr. Norman 
Bethune Collegiate Institute, Scarborough, Ontario; Alexander Remorov, 
William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute, North York, Ontario; Jonathan 
Schneider, University of Toronto Schools, Toronto, Ontario; XiaoLin 
(Danny) Shi, Sir Winston Churchill High School, Calgary, Alberta; Chen 
Sun, A.B. Lucas Secondary School, London, Ontario; and Chengyue (Jarno) 
Sun, Western Canada High School, Calgary, Alberta.

"Congratulations to these students. The IMO, as an institution, reminds us 
not only of the creativity of mathematics, but also of its 
internationalism. The Olympiad competitors will meet students from all 
over the world, some of whom will become their lifelong friends," said Dr. 
Barbara Lee Keyfitz, Director of the Fields Institute. "We are thrilled to 
host the send-off at Fields."

The 2008 Canadian IMO Team Leader is Dr. Felix Recio, Senior Lecturer, 
University of Toronto; the Deputy Team Leader is Mr. Yufei Zhao, a 
Canadian IMO gold medalist in 2005 and an undergraduate student at 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and the Deputy Leader Observer is 
Ms. Lindsey Shorser, a graduate student and lecturer, University of 
Toronto.

Since 1981, Canadian students have received a total of 16 gold, 35 silver, 
and 61 bronze medals at the IMO. Last year's team won one silver medal and 
three bronze in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Six area students will be joining the team for the first part of the 
training at Wilfrid Laurier University in hopes of becoming future math 
Olympians.

Media Contacts

Dr. Graham P. Wright
Executive Director, Canadian Mathematical Society
(613) 562-5800 ext 3528
cell: (613) 290-3046
director at cms.math.ca

or

Ms. Emily Baillie
Communications Officer, Fields Institute
(416) 348-9710 x 3024
ebaillie at fields.utoronto.ca