Introduction to the XXXI International Physics Olympiad
The Physics Olympiads began in 1967 with the first competition in Warsaw, Poland. Initially only Eastern European nations competed, but in the early 1980's Western Countries began to participate, first through Germany then the UK, USA and Canada. The IPhOs now attract teams from all over the globe.
The goal of the IPhOs is not only to examine the academic abilities of the participants and identify the champion physicists of the new millennium, but also to stimulate and promote their academic development. It is also a great medium through which long-lasting links between physicists (educators and pupils) of different nations can be forged.
Each participating country sends a team of five secondary school students selected by stiff competition in their own country. Currently, more than sixty countries take part each year. Each student competes individually and has to solve theoretical and experimental problems in physics.
For more information on the IPhO project, see the International Physics Olympiad home page.
Every year one country is selected to be the host for the Olympiad. The host nation for the 2000 Olympiad will be the United Kingdom, and the University of Leicester has been chosen as the venue. Leicester is a fantastic location for a Physics Olympiad:
- The University houses one of the country's top physics departments.
- Leicester is able to offer such additional facilities as the Challenger Learning Centre, where delegates will be able to test their skills and initiative in simulations of space missions.
- As Britain's first environment city, it is one of the most pleasant in Britain.
The 2000 Olympiad will take place between Sunday, 8 July and Sunday, 16 July 2000.
The purpose of this Web site is mainly to keep those who are going to attend as up-to-date as possible with the latest news about the Olympiad. This will include important organisation items, the latest news about events and activities, travel information from the major UK entry points to Leicester and more. There will also be a form to request information about the arrangements at Leicester (coming soon!).
Despite this emphasis, it is also hoped that this site will be of interest to those considering whether to enter their national competition, or even to those who are just browsing and want to know what a Physics Olympiad is all about!
And once the week is over, please check back again, this Web site will remain active! Additional postings will include the results, photos from the Olympiad, etc.
Some words of welcome...
 We are looking forward to welcoming to Leicester in July 2000 many of the outstanding young physics students from around the world. Leicester is a medium-sized university located in the centre of England. It is perhaps best known in science for the discovery of genetic finger-printing and for research in space science and astronomy. The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Leicester is one of the top-rated departments in the UK, for both research and teaching, and has the facilities and determination to make IPhO 2000 both an academic success and a memorably enjoyable occasion for all our visitors.
Prof. Ken Pounds FRS |  |
 One of the great achievements of the last millennium has been to understand the basic laws that govern our physical world - from atoms to the cosmos. Physics is a part of our culture, and the basis of much modern technology. It is a world-wide enterprise, and it is good that young physicists should have the chance to participate in the International Physics Olympiad. The millennium-year Physics Olympiad is bound to be a special event: we are fortunate the UK has been selected as its host. Prof. Stephen Hawking CH FRS |
