Welcome to the IMO!!
In the beautiful Rio de Janeiro!
After taking 30 hours to get to the IMO, we traveled so far that it's actually winter here. Shucks. What a horrible winter...
I have to say, I've been very impressed with how the IMO has been organized so far. Registration was like clockwork - quick and efficient. The slowest parts of anything are definitely with the hotel itself - and when possible, our guides do everything they can to minimize that interaction! Speaking of which, our guide, Amanda, is amazing. She's dedicated to the Canadian team, and has done an amazing job answering our never ending questions, getting us places on-time, even taking trips to the grocery store with us to stock up on snacks for the students.
Today began the official IMO with the opening ceremonies. Rio did a amazing job - a few short speeches recognizing the incredible amount of effort required by Brazil and other sponsors, a tribute to Maryam Mirzakhani (IMO Gold Medalist in 1994, and the only female Fields Medalist from 2014), several performances by a very talented string orchestra, and an upbeat fun brass band entertaining the crowd at the finish. However, my favorite part was definitely the parade of contestants!
I don't have great photos, so I'll share the official ones when they are posted online. Every country went up went called, names on the screen and flags proudly shown. It was so exciting to see all the contestants - some teams go in team uniforms and these were everything from a t-shirt to traditional dress and hats for contestants. I think the Australian team looked dapper in their fitted green blazers. But my favorite will always be our very own Team Canada:
Well ladies and gents, tomorrow begins Day 1 of the IMO. Wish our favorite team GOOD LUCK, and I'll keep you updated on the sentiments when possible!!
After taking 30 hours to get to the IMO, we traveled so far that it's actually winter here. Shucks. What a horrible winter...
I have to say, I've been very impressed with how the IMO has been organized so far. Registration was like clockwork - quick and efficient. The slowest parts of anything are definitely with the hotel itself - and when possible, our guides do everything they can to minimize that interaction! Speaking of which, our guide, Amanda, is amazing. She's dedicated to the Canadian team, and has done an amazing job answering our never ending questions, getting us places on-time, even taking trips to the grocery store with us to stock up on snacks for the students.
Today began the official IMO with the opening ceremonies. Rio did a amazing job - a few short speeches recognizing the incredible amount of effort required by Brazil and other sponsors, a tribute to Maryam Mirzakhani (IMO Gold Medalist in 1994, and the only female Fields Medalist from 2014), several performances by a very talented string orchestra, and an upbeat fun brass band entertaining the crowd at the finish. However, my favorite part was definitely the parade of contestants!
I don't have great photos, so I'll share the official ones when they are posted online. Every country went up went called, names on the screen and flags proudly shown. It was so exciting to see all the contestants - some teams go in team uniforms and these were everything from a t-shirt to traditional dress and hats for contestants. I think the Australian team looked dapper in their fitted green blazers. But my favorite will always be our very own Team Canada:
Well ladies and gents, tomorrow begins Day 1 of the IMO. Wish our favorite team GOOD LUCK, and I'll keep you updated on the sentiments when possible!!
Thanks Sarah for the pictures and update. All the best to the team.
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