6th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics: Big success. All students have got prizes. One silver medal, two bronze medals and two honorable mentions

Volos, 13/08/2012 Today were announced the results of the 6th IOAA, that took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 4th up to 14th of August. In the 6th IOAA three greek students got medals: Manos Vourliotis won the silver medal, Krinio Marouda and Ioanna Kourkoulou won the bronze medals. The most important was that all greek students got prizes, since the other two students (Themis Prapas and Paris Tzitzimbasis) won honorable mentions. Let us mention that Manos Vourliotis participated recently in the Olympiad of Physics at Tallin, Esthonia, and has got a bronze medal. The Greek Team had as leaders: Professor J. Seiradakis (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) and Assistant Professor L. Zachilas (University of Thessaly). The training of students was accomplished (except for the aforementioned) by Assistant Professor C. Melides (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), Dr. Ch. Xenakis from Volow, and by the students: G. Valogiannis, A. Tsiaras, D. Pazouli and G. Lioutas (Physics Dept., A.Un.Th), O. Voutyras and N. Flemotomos (Dept. Of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, N.T.U.A.) and by the amateur astronomer A. Voulgaris from Thessaloniki. In the delegation were joined Mrs. M. Kontaxi (Univ. of Thessaly) and Dr. Ch. Xenakis from Volos, as observers. In the 6th IOAA there participated 28 countries all over the world (from Europe, from Asia and from S. America) with a total number of 134 students. Those are the best students that were chosen to represent their countries in the Olympiad. The absolute winner (a student from Lithuania) solved the 85% of the problems. The Greek delegation is scheduled to return in Athens on 16/08/2012. The Ministry of Education recognizing the importance of the participation of our country in such an important educational event, and although Greece is passing through serious economic difficulties, with the sponsorship of OPAP (Organization of Football Prognostics) shouldered the costs of transportation, while the local expenses were done by the organizing country. The training of the Greek delegation was done at the University of Thessaly facilities, while the Latsis Foundation shouldered the various expenses of the preparation. The students that were chosen for the Olympic Team of Greece were those that succeeded in various examinations that were organized by a Club of Amateur Astronomers from the city of Volos. It is worth of mention that the next Olympiad will be hosted by Greece at Volos, from July 27th up to August 5th, 2013. We all hope that the bad financial situation of Greece, will not affect the 7th IOAA.