21/01/2020

OBMEP medalist participates in 'Encounter with Fatima'

Foto: Reprodução TV Globo

The medalist of the Brazilian Public School Mathematics Olympiad (OBMEP), Wellington Leite, was on the TV Globo program “Encontro com Fátima” this Monday (21). On stage, the young man from Alagoas recalled when he studied under the light of the street lamp where he lives with his mother in the outskirts of Maceió, during the preparation for the competition.

The two had their power cut off after falling behind on their bills. Wellington insists this didn't stop him from continuing his studies: "When you really want something, problems don't interfere. It's all about your desire to improve," he told TV host Fátima Bernardes.

For Wellington, participating in Olympic competitions was transformative. “I knew the difficulties I would face, but I tried to dedicate myself. When we started studying for the Olympics, I thought about it with the intention of helping my family.” Now, the student is preparing for an even bigger change.

Foto: Reprodução TV Globo

In February, Wellington arrives in Rio de Janeiro, where he will study mathematics at the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV) with the help of a scholarship. “Since I was little I’ve always liked mathematics, and that’s what I want for my life. I like challenges,” he says with satisfaction. The full interview is available on Globoplay .