‘We are holding our Olympiad in Informatics in the time when we are far from peace’
The opening of IOI-2016 in Kazan is best remembered not only for dancing and ‘spy dossiers’ but also for the calls for restoring the tradition of ceasing wars in the days of the Olympiad
28th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI-2016), which is held on the basis of the Volga Region State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism, gathered the gifted school students from 82 countries. It is noteworthy that IOI is taking place in Kazan and in Russia for the first time, which 'snatched' the right to hold the Olympiad from Japan and Azerbaijan. The correspondent of Realnoe Vremya attended the opening ceremony of the Olympiad.
Hope for good results and the benefits for the most talented students
School students from around the world arrived in the capital of Tatarstan for 8 days in order to compete for the prize places in the prestigious International Olympiad in Informatics IOI-2016. According to the Minister of Education and Science Dmitry Livanov, he expects the Russian team to have exceptionally high results, since our school children proved to be good enough in the international olympiads in other subjects.
'While there have been held four international olympiads: in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. In each of these olympiads our teams showed good results, better than in the previous years. For example, in Chemistry we took the second place, in Physics — the fourth, the Math team won four gold medals, so we expect good results in the Olympiad in Informatics, in Kazan, especially at home,' said the speaker.
The Minister of Education said that participation in IOI-2016 opens for Russian students the possibility of preferential admission to the local universities.
'In any school subject, the national team that participates in the Olympiad is formed from the number of the winners of the Russian Olympiad, and the winners of the Russian Olympiad have benefits for the entrance in the universities – they are admitted out of competition without exams. Therefore, naturally that all members of our national team have the opportunity to use that right,' said Livanov. 'I would like to tell that this year we have introduced a new rule – these benefits are valid not only for one year as a year ago but four years.'
Medvedev's parting words to the Olympiad participants: 'Have a good time'
The opening ceremony of the 28th International Olympiad in Informatics began with dance performances accompanied by a laser show. Then, like at the Sports Olympic Games, it was followed by the parade of countries participating in IOI-2016. In total, the representatives of 82 countries are taking part in the Olympiade.
After the demonstration of national flags, the Russian students, gold medalists of IOI-2015 Mikhail Putilin and Vladislav Makeyev, mounted the stage, holding in hands the gold Olympiad flag of IOI, as well as the high-ranking guests of the ceremony — the Minister of Education Dmitry Livanov, Tatarstan Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov, the KFU rector Ilshat Gafurov, and the President of the IOI Krasimir Manev. Dmitry Livanov read a welcome letter from the President of the government of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev.
'It is Kazan which is honored to accept the best students from all over the world. Here we have created the perfect conditions for you to perform successfully, as well as to meet and socialize with peers from many countries. I am sure that you will have a good time in the capital of Tatarstan, you will have loyal friends and, of course, learn a lot of interesting things about Russia — the country of great scientific achievements and discoveries,' the Minister quoted Medvedev.
Kazan State University was chosen as the operator of the International Olympiad in Informatics. In order to hold IOI on its site, the Russian side has purchased special computer equipment and prepared the hall for the competition at 320 jobs, united in a local network. Total expenses amounted to $1.5 million.
'We were instructed to be the operator of these competitions and we are very happy,' said the rector of KFU Ilshat Gafurov. 'I hope we win the right to host a similar event but among the university students in 2020.'
Calls for peace and 'spy dossiers' of the guests of honour
A closing word before the opening was given to the President of the IOI Krasimir Manev.
'There is a long tradition — during the Olympiad to stop all military conflicts to prove that people can compete in sports instead of murders. Unfortunately, we are holding our Olympiad of Informatics in the time when this ancient tradition is broken. We are now far from peace,' said Manev. 'My Bulgarian colleague and I created the Olympiad in 1989, thinking that will change the world, that it will become smarter, and the battle will be transferred from the military battlefield to the sports and science. And I still believe that it is possible. And IOI will prove it.'
When all welcoming speeches were said, the presenters asked the high officials to attach the palms to the red buttons on the racks and to press them on the count of three in order to pass the 'identification' and give the start to the International Olympiad. After clicking, like in a spy movie, on the screens behind the guests there showed up 'dossiers' on each person — the fingerprints, photographs and general information about each of them. The event ended with the anthems of Russia and Tatarstan.
