Iran sweeps five golds to retain world astronomy title
Iran won five gold medals at the 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) in Vietnam, retaining the world title for a third consecutive year, the Education Ministry said.
The competition ran from Sept. 25 to Oct. 5 in Hanoi, drawing more than 320 students from more than 66 countries, IRNA reported.
The five Iranian gold medalists were Sarina Alampour, Mohammad-Hossein Hosseini, Hirbod Foudazi, Hossein Masoumi and Arshia Mirshamsi Kakhaki, the ministry said.
The team’s performance again demonstrated the scientific capabilities of Iranian students, it said.
President Masoud Pezeshkian congratulated the team, calling the victory a source of “pride and satisfaction”.
“Our responsibility towards these valuable assets is to provide greater support for talented people and equal opportunities for their growth and development,” Pezeshkian said.
He said such support should allow young scientists to build on their international success while putting their knowledge and abilities towards scientific development, national progress and improving people’s lives.
The president said the achievement was a clear sign of the scientific potential and talent of Iran’s younger generation, who compete on the world stage through knowledge and perseverance and demonstrate their scientific abilities and those of their country.