Report from the Logical Olympiad Finals 2008
On Friday, 14th November 2008, the competition finals took place at the plenary hall of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament. Altogether, 190 children participated in the finals.
It’s Friday, the Chamber of Deputies is full of fifth-year students from Prague and the Central Bohemian region. One of the participants of the first year of the Logical Olympiad enthusiastically proclaims: “One hundred and twenty is my lucky number. I’m on fire! I will beat them all today!” From the gallery, the parents, teachers, and relatives watch the activities impatiently. A mum waves at a boy in green trousers and, in a soft voice, wishes him the best of luck. He and 189 other children are going to face three rounds of the competition that will determine the winner, the cleverest fifth-year student.
Competitors move into the plenary hall, the accompanying persons to the gallery
After the identity check, the children are separated from the adults. Last “good luck kisses” are exchanged, and fingers are crossed. From now on, the finalists can only rely on their wits and act as per organizers’ instructions. Every competitor receives a name tag with his name and table number on it – it’s time to find the respective tables, and start competing.
Opening ceremony
The Chairman of Mensa CR, Tomáš Blumenstein, together with actress Bára Hrzánová, welcome the finalists. A member of Parliament, Daniel Tluchoř, wishes all of the competitors the best of luck. A big screen shows the kids the schedule, starting with the first test. There are 23 questions for them to answer within forty minutes. The questions test the finalists’ logical thinking and imagination.
The second round, after a break
Before the second round commences, the first impressions can be overheard in the hall. “What picture did you draw in Fifteen?” The neighbour from the first row turns around saying “I know 19 for sure, it was c)”. The left side of the hall grows silent. On the right side, a girl explains to her neighbour “I am sitting on the chair of the Minister of Interior, that’s Langer.” The kids in the middle are sitting tight.
The presenters introduce the second round, and voting devices are distributed among the competitors. Three big screens light up with the first task. Logic and imagination play a key role again.
While the children are competing, tables are being filled with refreshments in the foyer. The organizers are correcting tests, the sponsors are arriving, and souvenirs from the parliamentary canteen are being bought.
A few photos, spoons, and strawberry pudding
After the second round, the lunch break is called. The organizers open the door to silence, and the wonderful smell of chicken, ham, canapés, and other treats is broken by the arrival of fifth-year students, all of whom are in a good mood.
Games are ready for the children who can play Formula One, golf, and many others. Curiosity gets better of some kids, and they peek into the backstage area, where the organizers are preparing the prizes and printing leaflets, and where this or that organizer or guest can be found, every so often.
Anyone who wants to know the correct answers from the first tests can watch the solutions on the screens. Adults in the galleries are also doing their best to solve the problems that the kids faced a few hours ago.
To be the first, and to respond correctly
In the last round, the third round, memory, agility, and creativity of the competitors will be tested. The issued voting devices serve them for entering the correct answers.
Letters appear on the screen. Whoever is the first to create the correct word from the letters, gets a point. An incorrect answer leads to penalization. One of the first combinations are the letters “A N D K A R I M N A”. Faces in the gallery show amazement, as before many of them managed to even read the letters, much the less to create the correct word, the first five competitors pull their triggers. One of them rose and responded: “Mandarinka.” The point is awarded, applause follows.
After less than thirty minutes, this round is over too, and the finalists are invited to take another short break. Each of the participants receives a diploma and voucher for a free Mensa IQ test. The organizers thank the children for their participation, and they, as well as the others, impatiently await the announcement of the winners.
Diplomas are handed over, time to know the winner
The competition is over. The finalists sit down on their chairs one last time. The winner is already known to the organizers. The best thirty competitors are called for, and each of them is congratulated by the sponsors, while the organizers hand over prizes, and cameras take lots of photos.
The winner of this 2008 competition is David Tvrdý, who receives a big cup with the Mensa CR logo, as well as the top prize, which is a laptop, and great satisfaction from the victory. The second best, Jakub Matějka, gets a cup too, and, among a multitude of other presents, a digital camera. The third place is won by Petr Matoušů, who receives, among other things an MP3 player and, of course, a cup.
After the winners are declared, the children can finally meet their escorts again. The first year of the Logical Olympiad is over, and we can only look forward to the next.
Related topics
21.11.2008
Logical Olympiad 2008 - finals 14.11.2008 |
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