Press releases

3 Aug 2021

Belarusian students win four medals at International Chemistry Olympiad

An archive photo

MINSK, 3 August (BelTA) – Students of Belarusian State University Lyceum won medals at the 53rd International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), BelTA learned from the press service of the university.

The Belarusian team included four students - winners of the final round of the national chemistry Olympiad. Vladislav Glatankov, a tenth grade student of BSU Lyceum, picked up a silver medal. Angelina Rogach, a graduate of BSU Lyceum, bagged bronze. Graduates of Minsk’s Serebryany Gymnasium No. 41 Kirill Moroz and Gymnasium No. 37 Alina Tumashik were also among bronze medalists.

The team was coached by Viktor Khvalyuk, the head of the Department of General Chemistry, and Denis Shklyaruk, a senior lecturer of the Organic Chemistry Chair of the Chemistry Faculty of at Belarusian State University.

This year, the Olympiad was held from 25 July to 2 August in an online format. This year’s edition did not involve the traditional experimental part. Young chemists were asked to take a five-hour written theoretical exam of nine tasks. The results were sent to the international jury.

A total of 312 schoolchildren from 79 countries participated in the competition. The Olympiad awarded 33 gold, 65 silver and 96 bronze medals.

This year, the Olympiad was hosted by Japan. The 2022 host country will be China.

The International Chemistry Olympiad debuted in the Czech Republic in 1968. Since then the competition has been held annually, with the exception of 1971. The program is intended to stimulate student interest in chemistry through solving of independent and creative chemical problems. It also aims to promote international contacts in chemistry, friendships between young scientific workers of different nationalities, cooperation among pupils, and exchange of pedagogical and scientific experience in chemistry.