An event that attracts the world’s brightest young minds is coming to the Sunshine Coast for the first time in a major coup for our region – and nation.
The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is the world championship mathematics competition for high school students.
IMO is held in a different country each year. The first was held in 1959 in Romania. It now attracts more than 100 nations and 620 students.
From July 10-20, 2025, it will be held at the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre at Novotel Twin Waters. It will be the second time Australia has hosted the prestigious event, the first being Canberra in 1988.
The Australian Maths Trust (AMT), on behalf of the Australian mathematics community, is excited and honoured to host the 66th IMO thanks to support from Sunshine Coast Council.
Australian Maths Trust chief executive officer Nathan Ford said IMO would bring the brightest young minds from around the world.
“This is huge for mathematics in this country. We are thrilled to be welcoming school students of Year 9 to 12 level, or equivalent, from all over the world,’’ Mr Ford said.
“We also can’t wait to see what our own Australian team, to be announced in May 2025, can achieve on home soil.
“The Trust is pleased that IMO 2025 will bring mathematics to the forefront next year. These students all work incredibly hard to perform at their best and it’s a testament to their dedication just to make it to IMO.
“Our vision, through supporting competitions such as IMO, is to build a nation of creative problem solvers, and we are excited to bring this opportunity to the world in 2025.’’
IMO 2025 is made possible by AMT’s principal supporter XTX Markets, the leading algorithmic trading firm, and proud donor to maths education globally. The event is also supported by the Sunshine Coast Council as host region and Visit Sunshine Coast as destination partner.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said it was a prestigious event and the region would provide a warm welcome to the high school students and their support teams.
“This will be a first for the Sunshine Coast – and indeed Queensland – thanks to council support through the Major Events Sponsorship Program,’’ Mayor Natoli said.
“Events like this strengthen our economy now and in the future, and they align with our Knowledge Economy, one of the high value industries important for economic growth on the Sunshine Coast.”
Mayor Natoli said the competitors and supporters would also have the opportunity to explore all the wonders of the Sunshine Coast Biosphere as part of their visit.
The community is welcome to get involved with IMO 2025, with volunteer roles available for team guides, exam invigilators and general volunteers. To find out more about volunteering and for more information on IMO 2025, and the Australian Maths Trust, visit imo2025.com.au
