Over 150 Schoolchildren from 14 Countries Compete in the XI Caucasian Mathematical Olympiad in Adygea

The opening ceremony of the 11th Caucasian Mathematical Olympiad was held on March 13 at Adyghe State University. As one of the largest international mathematics competitions for schoolchildren, this event attracted over 150 participants from 13 countries and 21 regions of Russia.

The competition is being conducted in a hybrid format. In-person participants include students from Turkey, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Abkhazia. They will be joined online by their peers from the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Serbia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Peru, and the Republic of Belarus. 

Russia will be represented by high school students from the Astrakhan, Volgograd, Kurgan, Penza, Rostov, Samara, and Saratov regions; the Krasnodar and Stavropol territories; the Donetsk People's Republic; Karachay-Cherkessia; the Lugansk People's Republic; Adygea; Dagestan; Kalmykia; Crimea; North Ossetia-Alania; Ingushetia; Chechnya; the Federal Territory "Sirius"; and the city of Sevastopol. Notably, Adygea will be represented by 17 REMSh students.

The Olympiad is consistently organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Adygea, the Caucasian Mathematical Center at Adyghe State University, the Republican School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and the Polaris-Adygea Educational Center. 

The opening ceremony was held in the concert hall of Adyghe State University and served as the highlight of the first day of the Olympiad. During the event, the Olympiad tree was illuminated amidst a solemn and festive atmosphere.

Daud Mamiy, Rector of Adyghe State University, addressed the students and reflected on the origins of the Olympiad. The first CMO was held at the Sirius Educational Center, and for the following decade, Adygea served as the host region. Throughout these years, the event has received steadfast support from the republic's leadership, including the region's Governor, Murat Kumpilov.

He also reflected on how the goals and scope of the Olympiad have evolved over the past 11 years. Originally, the slogan was "The Caucasus Without Borders," embodying the organizers' aspiration to unite students from southern Russia, the Caucasus, and the Black Sea region. However, as the mathematics competition drew an increasing number of participants each year, the slogan was subsequently revised to better represent its expanding vision.

"Caucasus Without Borders" has taken on a new identity, which will be proudly displayed on your sweatshirts — "CMO Math the World." This name reflects the inclusive nature of the Olympiad, now featuring participants from Latin America and Southeast Asia. Today, CMO encompasses many countries around the globe. I am delighted to see this year's Olympiad welcoming students from Abkhazia, Armenia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. We sincerely hope you enjoy your stay in Adygea. Dear friends, I wish you a successful Olympiad, that everything goes smoothly for you, and that you have a wonderful time here in our republic," said Daud Mamiy.

Participants were also welcomed by Viktor Orlov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Finance of the Republic of Adygea; Igor Terziyan, Advisor to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Representative Office in Krasnodar; and members of the Olympiad Coordination Council—Nikolai Andreev, Kirill Sukhov, Nazar Agakhanov, and Pavel Kozhevnikov.

"Dear Participants,I am confident that each of you has already achieved remarkable success by passing through a rigorous selection process in your countries and regions. In fact, you are already winners, and I wholeheartedly congratulate you on this achievement. My sincere wish for you is to seize the opportunity to connect with your peers at the Olympics, to gain new experiences, and to forge lasting friendships—because friendship is the most valuable reward. Showcase your full talents and strive for excellence in every decision you make, so that your efforts are truly recognized by the jury. And may the most deserving winner emerge victorious!" Viktor Orlov said. 

"Beyond participating in these mathematical battles—of which I wish you success and good luck—each of you serves as an ambassador of goodwill for your countries and regions. You have brought a piece of your culture and your people here, and I sincerely hope you will carry home fond memories of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Adygea. Wishing you a pleasant and rewarding stay in the Republic of Adygea," said Igor Terziyan.

Over the next few days, participants will engage in two competitive rounds at the Polaris-Adygea Educational Center. In addition to tackling Olympiad problems, the program features scientific lectures, educational workshops, the "Integral City" urban math quest, excursions, and interactions with scientists. Cultural and educational events will also be organized for schoolchildren, offering them an opportunity to explore the rich history and natural beauty of Adygea.

Renowned Russian scientists and science communicators will participate in the Olympiad's educational program. Among them are Andrey Raigorodsky, Director of the Phystech School of Applied Mathematics and Informatics at MIPT and Scientific Director of the ASU CMC; Alexey Savvateev, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Professor at ASU; Hayk Sargsyan, Head of the Laboratory of Physics of Nano- and Mesostructures at the Institute of Applied Problems of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia; Kamo Atayan, Head of the Department for Science Popularization and Development Programs at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia; Danila Demin, Gold Medalist of the 2020 International Mathematical Olympiad, Jury Member of the All-Russian School Olympiad in Mathematics, and three-time winner of the Caucasian Mathematical Olympiad; Alexander Sergeev, Scientific Director of the National Center for Physics and Mathematics and Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences; as well as distinguished scientists from Adyghe State University. Throughout the week, they will deliver lectures, hold meetings, and engage in popular science talks for participants.

Sber and ITV Group, a Russian security software developer, have partnered with the XI Caucasian Mathematical Olympiad to promote the development of mathematics education and to nurture talented young mathematicians. The results of the Olympiad will be announced on March 18 during the closing ceremony, where the winners and runners-up will be honored and awarded.

You can watch the opening ceremony broadcast: