The 2011 International Biology Olympiad took place at Taipei, Chinese Taipei in July. The students representing New Zealand were Benjamin Bai and Richard Chou (Macleans College, Auckland), Vicky Tai (St Cuthburt’s College, Auckland), and Jack Zhou (Auckland International College). Richard won a Bronze medal, Benjamin Silver, and Jack returned home with New Zealand’s first ever Gold medal. The team was rewarded with its highest ranking ever and Jack came 21st in the world! This is a truly fantastic result and we are very proud of their dedication and hard work.
Before the IBO started, The New Zealand team took two days to see Hong Kong, recover from the flights and acclimatize to the heat. We had a great time visiting temples, museums and bustling markets. The highlight would have to be the return ferry trip from Hong Kong Island after our visit to the Peak. We timed it to coincide with the Symphony of Lights over the harbor – magnificent! After the competition we shopped and ate our way around Taipei City and also visited the Kenting National Park at the southernmost tip of Chinese Taipei. The night market and national aquarium where both amazing experiences. The aquarium was enormous, like Kelly Tarlton’s on steroids!
The week of the competition in Taipei City was full on! Late nights merged into early mornings as the IBO organisers and team guides ensured the exams ran smoothly and the sightseeing and social activities were enjoyable. The practical exams were difficult as usual with the dissection yet again proving a challenge for students from all around the world. From the opening ceremony, to a visit to Taipei 101 the world’s second tallest building, from a temple built over a bubbling, hissing hot spring to a marine geological park, the Chinese Taipei organisers had gone all out to ensure the students and jurors got to experience their wonderful culture and hospitality. Of course, there was also the medal ceremony! Team leaders; Dr Angela Sharples, Rotorua Boys’ High School and Richard Hendra, Tauranga Girls’ College, were really proud of how the students performed in a demanding and prestigious international event. To win our first ever Gold medal against the top four students from more than 65 countries from around the world was incredible. The students were assisted with funding to travel to Chinese Taipei through the Talented School Students Travel Award which is administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand via Science OlympiaNZ and we would like to acknowledge this vital support.