Welcoming students from 70 countries, Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri kicked off the 33rd International Physics Olympiad in Nusa Dua, Bali, in July, by saying that the event “can be a positive means for increasing people’s attention, understanding, and mastery of basic science.” Her comments marked the first time the event has been opened by a head of state.
Vietnam’s Ngoc Duong Dang earned the highest individual score. The People’s Republic of China, with four gold medals and one silver, had the top overall team score for the third straight year. But Iran’s team was the only one to win five gold medals. Back home, Iran’s team is being recognized for its accomplishments: Members are exempt from both university entry exams and the military, and will meet with Iranian President Seyed Mohammad Khatami.
As usual, the competitors tackled both theoretical and experimental problems. One of this year’s experimental problems required that...