The Greek mission won two bronze medals at the 12th International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympics in Beijing in early November.

The medals were conquered by Themis Poultourtzidis (1st Lyceum of Kilkis) and Angeliki Bania (1st Lyceum of Nafpaktos). Moreover, students Christos Kakoyiannis (Hellenic College), Argyris Giannisis – Manes (Volos Musical Lyceum) and Dionysis Gakis (Experimental Lyceum of Patras) received honorable distinctions (Evergreen Mentions). The mission was led by Loukas Zachillas, assistant professor at the University of Thessaly and Hara Papathanasiou of Leiden University, the Netherlands.

The International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympics is an annual competition for high school students and is one of the International Scientific Olympiads. This year and the 12th competition, 38 countries from Europe, Asia, and America participated with 200 students.

It is worth noting that the Greek Olympic team was trained in Volos in August last year by volunteer astronomers and astrophysicists and old Olympians. The training of the group was supported by the University of Thessaly and the municipality of Volos this year.

The expenses of the Greek mission have been covered for the fourth consecutive year by the Onassis Foundation.