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Starting Sunday, March 16, seventy of the most talented students from secondary (and some primary) schools across the country will test their logical thinking and problem-solving skills in mathematics and programming, where creativity is essential. The national round of the Mathematical Olympiad, a prestigious competition for young mathematicians and programmers, brings together students who have demonstrated exceptional abilities in previous regional and school rounds. The University of West Bohemia in Pilsen is hosting the competition at the Faculty of Applied Sciences and the University Library. Competitors will tackle six challenging tasks that will test their ability to apply theoretical knowledge beyond the classroom to solve complex and unconventional mathematical and programming problems.

At the University of West Bohemia, students will compete in two categories. On Sunday, the finals of the traditional mathematics competition (Category A) begin. This category is primarily intended for third- and fourth-year high school students as well as septima and octava students from multi-year gymnasiums, with fifty of the best students participating each year. On Wednesday, thirty young programmers will start competing in Category P. This year, ten students have qualified for the finals in both categories simultaneously. The announcement of results for Category A is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, while competitors in Category P will find out the winners on Friday, March 21.

Czech Science, Research and Innovation Minister Marek Ženíšek, who last year unequivocally supported the designation of the science competitions as "Olympiad" despite protests from the Czech Olympic Committee, said of the event: "The Olympiad is of great importance because it promotes competitiveness and the development of skills in young people with talent. Competitions like the Maths Olympiad help to develop excellence, which is exactly one of the things that is also crucial for the future of science and innovation in our country. I also appreciate the fact that the absurd dispute from last August over the name 'Olympiad', which was raised by the Czech Olympic Committee, has been resolved." The Minister told the competitors: "I wish all the participants the best possible success in the central round, although of course only the best can win."

"It is an honor for us that the University of West Bohemia is hosting the most talented young mathematicians and programmers and that the national round of the competition is returning to us after sixteen years. We also sincerely hope that these exceptionally talented students will choose to study at our university, whether in mathematics, engineering, or other disciplines," said Miroslav Lávička, Rector of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. As a student, he regularly participated in the Mathematical Olympiad during his primary and secondary school years and later contributed to organizing the competition in the Pilsen region.

This year’s 74th edition is organized by the Czech Mathematical and Physical Society, Pilsen branch, with the support of the regional Mathematical Olympiad committee and the departments of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Computing at the Faculty of Applied Sciences. The competition's professional, organizational, and informational support is also provided by the Pilsen Region, the Institute of Mathematics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Charles University, Masaryk University, the Faculty of Science at Palacký University, and other partners.

The event is held under the patronage of the Governor of the Pilsen Region, Kamal Farhan, the Mayor of Pilsen, Roman Zarzycký, the Rector of the University of West Bohemia, Miroslav Lávička, and the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Miloš Železný.

Notice for Library Visitors:
During the Mathematical Olympiad at the University Library in Bory, part of the open-access section, including study rooms on the first floor, will be inaccessible. Students may request books from the closed-off area at the circulation desk. Additionally, absolute silence will be required to ensure that Olympiad participants are not disturbed.