Olympians Revealed

Australia’s newest crop of Olympians has been announced, all Australian high school students, all excelling in maths, informatics and science.

The nation’s 2024 mathematical, informatics and science Olympiad teams comprising Australia’s brightest young academic stars represent 20 schools from Vic, NSW, WA, Qld and Tas. They will compete in disciplines including biology, chemistry, earth science, informatics, mathematics and physics.

The teams are bound for several exotic locations, including Egypt for the International Olympiad in Informatics and Iran for Physics.

To earn a coveted spot representing Australia, the competitors took part in a rigorous qualifying process including extension programs and exams run by not-for-profit organisations the Australian Maths Trust (AMT) and Australian Science Innovations (ASI) over the past year.

Nathan Ford, CEO of the AMT lauded the hard work of all students, and particularly the female students in mathematics with four of the six team members being young women this year.

“This is a testament to the success of our European Girls Maths Olympiad (EGMO) program and most of all, this year’s IMO female members - Amber, Laura, Cloris and Iris’ - hard work and dedication. We are very much looking forward to seeing how the team fares in the UK, and how the experience of the Australian team continues to build as we work towards hosting the IMO in 2025 on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Ford said.

It’s the second consecutive year of IMO participation for twin sisters Cloris and Iris Xu, Year 12 students from Sydney’s Baulkham Hills High School, in addition to their IMO participation, they have competed at EGMO for three years running, and recently appeared on the cover of Careers with STEM.

ASI’s Executive Director, Vanessa Kates, echoed Mr Ford’s sentiments showing the organisation’s pride and support for the four science Olympiad teams - biology, chemistry, earth science and physics - along with the maths and informatics Olympiads.

“It’s a great privilege to celebrate the 2024 science, maths and informatics Olympiads. Once again, they are a group of students who have worked hard to be selected for the Australian teams. The International Olympiads are prestigious events where these outstanding students can showcase their own talents and build international networks,” said Ms Kates. 

Ms Kates highlighted the success of ASI science extension programs.

“This year we have six Australian Team Members who honed their science skills in our Junior Science Olympiad Program. It is very rewarding to have watched these talented students progress through the pathways and to now be sending them off to an international event.”

She made special mention of Kevin Lin who will compete at the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), hoping to build on the Silver medal he earned last year. Joining Kevin at IChO will be Penny Tassicker - also stepping up for a second Olympiad after winning Gold at the International Earth Science Olympiad in 2023.

The 2024 Australian Maths and Science Olympics Teams

International Biology Olympiad Competing in Kazakhstan, 7-14 July 2024
Grace Ng Vic Gippsland Grammar
Joel Cheok Vic Camberwell Grammar School
Xiaotian Lin NSW North Sydney Boys High School
Kathryn Petersen Qld Brisbane Girls Grammar School

International Chemistry Olympiad Competing in Saudi Arabia, 21-30 July 2024
Penny Tassicker Tas Marist Regional College
Kevin Zhenhuan Lin NSW Knox Grammar School
Jerry Jin Vic Camberwell Grammar School
Vinny Runlin Liang Vic Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School

International Earth Science Olympiad Competing in China, 8-16 August 2024
Kevin Hao NSW Knox Grammar School
Tanya Qiu Ting Chi NSW Ravenswood School for Girls
Joel Tan Vic John Monash Science School
Carolyn Wang NSW Presbyterian Ladies' College Sydney

International Olympiad in Informatics Held in Egypt, 1-8 September 2024
Miles Conway Vc Melbourne Grammar School
Alex Wang NSW North Sydney Boys High School
Andy Wu WA Christ Church Grammar School
Nathan Zhou NSW Knox Grammar School

International Mathematical Olympiad Competing in Bath, UK, 10-22 July 2024
William Cheah Vic Scotch College
Amber Li NSW Pymble Ladies' College
Xiangyue (Laura) Nan Vic Fintona Girls' School
Alex Qiu NSW James Ruse Agricultural High School
Cloris Xu NSW Baulkham Hills High School
Iris Xu NSW Baulkham Hills High School

International Physics Olympiad Held in Iran, 21-29 July 2024
Ian Lai Qld Queensland Academy of Science, Mathematics & Technology
Joel Lee NSW James Ruse Agricultural High School
Eason Yichen Yang Vic Trinity Grammar School
Houlai Zhou NSW Sydney Grammar School
David Xiaoli Zhu NSW North Sydney Boys High School