The'Catalan Mathematical Olympiad within the framework of the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
The first mathematical competitions
Starting in 1894 in Hungary, the Eötvös competitions were developed, which are considered the first national mathematical competitions. This was the era of the late 19th century, which also saw the beginning of a process that culminated in the modern-day Olympics.
This type of competition gradually spread across central and eastern Europe, as well as Canada and the United States, with a contest structure that has endured: two sessions, each lasting several hours, in which three problems are proposed, each scored out of 7 points.
Then, in 1958, the idea of an International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), was born in Romania, presented as a world championship for high school students («the World Championship Mathematics Competition for High School students and is held annually in a different country»). The first edition took place in 1959 with the participation of 7 countries, and it has been held every year since (except 1980 due to calendar adjustments) in different locations. Currently, more than 100 countries participate. On the official competition website , one can find very comprehensive information about all editions.
Background in Spain
In Spain, the first call for a Spanish Mathematical Olympiad was in 1964, organized by the RSME (Royal Spanish Mathematical Society) and the ministry responsible for universities at that time, given that the first phase was linked to the so-called «university districts», from each of which three contestants qualified for the state phase. The OME (Spanish Mathematical Olympiad) gradually consolidated, but Spain did not participate in the IMO until 1983.
On the website of the Spanish Mathematical Olympiad (OME), the activity is described as «a competition among young students, whose primary objective is to stimulate the study of Mathematics and the development of young talents in this Science». It can truly be said that, although since that year Spanish students have not won any gold medals and only 7 silver medals (the most recent by Catalan Pau Cantos in 2020), internationally Spanish mathematics is considered to hold a prominent place. In fact, as stated on the OME website, many of our most well-known mathematicians come from the Olympiads.
In Catalonia, the first mathematical competitions took place at the University of Barcelona
In 1964 and the following years, in our region, the first phase was called the «University District of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands» and was held at the University of Barcelona (UB) , with decisive support from Professor Josep Vaquer.
However, after a few years, in the mid-1970s, the Catalan Society of Mathematics (SCM) took the initiative in organizing the Olympiad, abandoning the idea of university districts, and wisely called for a single Catalan phase, with the understanding that for some years now, participation can take place on the same day in Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida, and Girona. On this website, extensive information about the Catalan phase of the Olympiad can be found from the 32nd edition onward, based on the immense work done by Carles Romero.
MORE INFORMATION
Interested readers can supplement this by consulting the publication SESSIONS OF PREPARATION FOR THE MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIAD, one of the electronic publications of the SCM, which in its second part includes a historical reference. The edition of this publication was overseen by Josep Grané, the driving force behind the impetus that the Olympiad has had in Catalonia since the 1990s.