16/10/2020

Brazil's team at the IMO is received by the President of the Republic.

Foto: Valter Campanato/ Agência Brasil

The Brazilian team that recorded Brazil's best result at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) continues to reap the rewards of its unprecedented achievement. This Wednesday (14), the team that came in 10th place among 105 countries was received by the President of the Republic Jair Bolsonaro, at the launch ceremony of the National Genomics and Precision Health Program “Genoma Brasil”, at the Planalto Palace, in Brasília.

The young people were also welcomed by the Minister of Economy, Paulo Guedes; by Marcos Pontes, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation; by the Special Secretary of Finance of the Ministry of Economy, Waldery Rodrigues; and by Gustavo Montezano, president of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) . Medalists from the International Economics Olympiad (IEO) participated in the events.

"We have so much to do in this country, and I always talk about the importance of having young people like you, with vision, who apply themselves to studying and solving the problems of the future," said Minister Marcos Pontes, upon meeting the students.

Foto: ASCOM/MCTI

During the meeting, Guilherme Zeus Dantas e Moura, silver medalist at the IMO, commented on the importance of teacher encouragement in his decision to compete. “At my school in Maricá (RJ), a teacher gathered three students who wanted to study more and, in an extra shift, taught us some things. This additional dedication from the teacher made us strive harder, and that was the seed that took me to the capital, where I met other teachers. I never stopped,” he emphasized.

The student also highlighted the importance of having previous experience in competitions, such as the Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools (OBMEP) and the Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad (OBM). "Representing Brazil is incredible," he said about the IMO. The young man plans to return to the international olympiad as a lead teacher in the future.

Professor Luciano Monteiro de Castro accompanied the visit to Brasília. He emphasized the importance of teaching mathematics in a way that one believes in. As an example, he cited the educational project he works on, where the walls are painted in a way that allows students to write and make sketches more interactively.

Foto: ASCOM/MCTI

At the IMO, the Brazilian gold medal went to Pedro Gomes Cabral, from Fortaleza (CE). The silver medals were won by Bernardo Peruzzo Trevizan, from São Paulo (SP); Guilherme Zeus Dantas e Moura, from Maricá (RJ); Francisco Moreira Machado Neto, from Fortaleza (CE); Gabriel Ribeiro Paiva, from Fortaleza (CE); and Pablo Andrade Carvalho Barros, from Teresina (PI).

In its 61st edition, the Olympiad was originally scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg, Russia, but was adapted due to the pandemic. The exams were held on September 21st and 2Mondays at testing centers selected by the IMO advisory board. In Brazil, the exams were administered at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) and IMPA.

*With information from the MCTI website.