Lithuanian Students Earn Three Bronze Medals at International Informatics Olympiad

Lithuanian students have achieved significant success at the International Olympiad in Informatics held in Uzbekistan, securing three bronze medals. The competition saw 375 students from 92 countries vying for top honors. The medalists for Lithuania were Augustas Kerys from Vilnius Jesuit Gymnasium, Faustas Surplys from Vilnius Lyceum, and Adomas Juodis from Kaunas University of Technology Gymnasium. Additionally, Robertas Juknevičius received an honorable mention.

Augustas Kerys distinguished himself by being one of only four students worldwide to fully solve an exceptionally challenging problem titled 'Magic City.' This problem required deep knowledge of algorithms and data structures, coupled with exceptional creative thinking. The complexity of the tasks, especially on the second day of the competition, adjusted initial expectations for some students, including Faustas Surplys, who was anticipated to win a silver medal.

Dr. Jūratė Skūpienė from the Institute of Informatics at Vilnius University and Aldas Lenkšas, a former olympiad participant now studying at the Polytechnic University of Milan, led the Lithuanian team. Gediminas Bernevičius, head of the Talent Development Department at the Lithuanian Non-Formal Education Agency (LINEŠA), which organizes student participation in international olympiads, praised the students and their mentors. He noted that the three medals and honorable mention signify the consistent growth of young Lithuanian programmers and the value of long-term dedication.

Organizers implemented measures, including metal detectors, to ensure fair competition amidst advancements in artificial intelligence, preventing participants from bringing prohibited devices like phones into the examination hall. The team leaders expressed pride in the results, emphasizing that winning three medals after a considerable break demonstrates Lithuania's strong presence in informatics competitions and the effectiveness of years of dedicated work by teachers and preparatory programs.