The annual Physics Olympiad may pale in comparison to it's sporting cousin, but it is a way for advanced high school students from around the world to test their skills
Iran hosted this year's 38th annual International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), running from July 13th through the 22nd. A total of 73 countries participated, with 327 competitors. The absolute winner (the one with the highest score) this year was Youngjoon Choi from the Republic of Korea.
Originating in 1967 in Poland, the first Olympiad hosted teams from 5 Eastern Bloc countries. Now it is a truly global competition, and countries vie to host it (which isn't anywhere near as expensive as many other competitions).
The competition is held on two separate days with a period of rest. There are three theoretical questions, and one experimental. Teams consist of five students and two supervisors. First place can be gained with a score of 90% or more, second place a score of 78% or higher, third place is 65% or higher, and an honorable mention is gained with 50% or higher.
These are extremely difficult problems, especially for high school students. When I was in high school, I participated in a similar test (in a nationwide search for team candidates). I had no previous preparation, and scored 33% - the highest score ever achieved at that school. It was all the more remarkable to my teachers because I had a low C in my physics class, while the A students scored in the teens or less, so I guess they couldn't figure me out (I knew I was smart, I was just bored with the instruction and hated doing rote problems from the textbook).
