Computer Olympiad news - All four members of the South African Team that took part in the 27th International Olympiad in Informatics in Kazakhstan will return with medals

This was such great news about the South African Olympiad team that we thought we would mention it on our blog. All four members of the South African Team that took part in the 27^th International Olymiad in Informatics in Kazakhstan will return with medals

Who was in the team?
The team that took part in the Olympiad consisted of:

• Ulrik de Muelenaere from Waterkloof High, Pretoria
• Yaseen Mowzer from Fairbairn College, Cape Town
• Thomas Orton from Bishops, Cape Town
• Robin Visser from St George’s Grammar School, Cape Town

How did they progress?
All four won bronze medals.

The Manager of the Olympiad, Peter Waker, was delighted with the medals.  “In all 23 years of particpation this is the fourth time we get medals for all four participants.  The previous occasions were 2010, 2000 and 1999.”

Added Deputy delegation leader Robert Spencer: “Getting a medal is, to say the least, no small feat.  We are very proud that the team managed to each get one.  I have high hopes for next year in Russia, as two of our team members are eligible to take part again.”

The four South Africans managed to beat every other entry from Africa except Youssef Ibrahim of Egypt.  However, when the team scores are added up South Africa is not only the top performer from Africa, it also ends up in very respectable company.
“A quick calculation shows that South Africa ended up 32^nd out of 83 participating countries”  contributed Delegation Leader Sean Wentzel.  “We are just behind Germany and Hungary and just ahead of Sweden, Israel and Brazil.  Other African countries were not so fortunate.  Egypt is ranked 59^th, Tunisia 63^rd and Nigeria 83^rd.”


Top scorer with 100% was Jeehak Yoon from South Korea.  He was the only participant with a perfect score.  The top ten places were taken by participants from South Korea, Russia, the USA, China, Australia, Iran and Canada.

Selection for 2016 starts soon.
The process of selecting the team that will represent South Africa at the 28^th International Olympiad in Informatics in Russia in 2016 will start on Friday 14 August when learners from all over South Africa will take part in the First Round of the Programming Olympiad at their schools.
“This year the contest is online and we expect a record number of entries” explained Waker.  “Teachers appreciate the fact that there is no marking and that detailed results will be sent to the school.”

It is not too late to enter, and learners with programming skills should ask their schools to enter them.

Team returns on Monday.
The team is expected back in South Africa on Monday 3 August. 

• Ulrik de Muelenaere will arrive on flight EY 6299 landing at 08:45 at OR Tambo Airport.
• Yaseen Mowzer, Thomas Orton and Robin Visser will arrive at Cape Town International on flight EY 6262 at 14:10.  Delegation Leader Sean Wentzel and Deputy Leader Robert Spencer will be on the same flight.