The 52^nd International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) has started on 17 July in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 562 contestants from 101 nations have arrived to solve the hardest mathematical problems. IMO2011 was opened during a spectacular opening ceremony by the Mayor of Amsterdam Eberhard van der Laan, and chairman of the IMO organizing committee Robbert Dijkgraaf, president of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). CWI sponsors IMO.

The contest itself takes place on Monday and Tuesday. From Wednesday until Friday there will be excursions. The closing ceremony is organized on Saturday afternoon, 23 July, where the gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded for excellent performances.

About the International Mathematical Olympiad
The International Mathematical Olympiad is the oldest and largest science olympiad in the world, and is organized in the Netherlands for the first time. It is the world’s championship of secondary school mathematics, designed to test ingenuity and insight and challenge the sharpest minds in the world. It is held each July at a different location in the world. Each nation can send up to six students, who compete for medals at IMO. IMO is not run for profit, but is rather a world movement dedicated to provide successive generations with demanding mathematical contests.

More information and movies: http://www.imo2011.nl/
IMO live: www.imo2011.nl/live

Picture: The Dutch team during the opening ceremony. Source: IMO