Chapter 84: The Special Award

Many teams felt incredibly fortunate. Although they hadn't solved this problem correctly, at least they hadn't misapplied the lemma and caused their entire team's results to be invalidated. That alone was a huge relief, so there was no need to trouble themselves further by comparing their results with the Chinese team.

This year, with Wu Tong on the Chinese team, no one could compete! Some teams were so shaken that they suffered a complete collapse—those staying nearby couldn't possibly have missed their team leader's furious outbursts!

On July 14th, the closing ceremony arrived as scheduled—the award ceremony, an exhilarating moment for all participants.

Once everyone was assembled and the time had come, the closing ceremony officially began. After the jury delivered their closing remarks, the most thrilling and nerve-wracking segment—the awards—commenced.

Awards were presented in reverse order. As names were announced one by one, participants went on stage to receive honorable mentions, bronze medals, and silver medals. Finally, the highlight of the event—the gold medal presentation—captivated all eyes.

This time, the entire Chinese team took the stage together to receive the gold medals that symbolized their ultimate honor. The host country had arranged for a distinguished guest to present the medals and certificates to the winners.

The first to receive the award, quite naturally, was Wu Tong, who had achieved the highest score in the world.

"Congratulations, Wu Tong," the guest announced in awkward Chinese, calling her name and offering his best wishes. "I know you. I hope to see you reach even greater heights—this is just the beginning of your journey of accolades! I look forward to welcoming you for academic exchanges at our universities in the future."

When the gold medal presentations were completed and the group photo taken, the six members of the Chinese team prepared to leave the stage, only to be asked by the jury to remain.

Without any further ado, the host beamed and announced, "Let us once more congratulate the Chinese team, who, with a total score of 213 points, have won first place—champions—at the 51st International Mathematical Olympiad! May their two team leaders join them on stage to share this glorious moment!"

Although they had already been informed of the results, the excitement of hearing the official announcement was nothing like the feeling of calculating scores in private.

Cheers erupted.

The six members of the Chinese team all wore radiant smiles of excitement. Together, they waved to Li Yisheng and Professor Cheng. Overjoyed, the two teachers—one carrying the team's flag, the other holding a neatly folded, bright red banner—joined the students on stage. Together, they unfurled and straightened the flag before them, commemorating this brilliant moment.

The vivid banner fluttered, dazzling beneath the lights, perfectly complementing the outstanding young members of the Chinese team, as if it, too, shared their pride.

Camera flashes sparkled endlessly—a torrent of media from around the world surged forward. Amid the envious and jealous gazes of all the other teams, the Chinese team turned toward their own country's media, their smiles even brighter, a swelling sense of honor rising within them.

They had done it—they had raised their proud banner on the international stage. They had done it—they had once again secured the team championship, and this time, all six members won gold medals!

They had lived up to their nation's trust, fulfilled everyone's expectations, and brought honor to their country! At this moment, nothing could make them stand taller or prouder.

After the Chinese team claimed the championship, the Russian team was awarded second place, and the American team third. All the prizes were presented in turn.

The Chinese team radiated joy and excitement, their happiness evident throughout the hall. Of course, the other teams weren't surprised—had it been them, they would have been just as elated!

With the Chinese team having seized world champion three years in a row, some joked that the IMO should simply be renamed the "China Competition." The Chinese team showed no mercy, even sending their conjecture-proving champions to compete against high school students...

Of course, no matter how disgruntled some felt, nothing could dampen the genuine happiness of the Chinese team today.

By rights, the award ceremony should have drawn to a close at this point. However, just as many were preparing to leave, the chairman of the organizing committee took the stage again, smiling as he announced:

"At every IMO, we select, from among all the solutions submitted, the most perfect, most innovative, most flawless answer. This year, we were astonished by her brilliant work. She has made mathematics young and vibrant again. Therefore, we are bestowing upon her a unique honor—the IMO Special Prize. Please welcome, once again, the Pearl of the Orient from China, Wu Tong!"

The IMO Special Prize? There was a special prize this year?

This was a rare occurrence. Before the 1990s, the special prize was not uncommon, but as mathematics became more defined and the scope of the competition clearer, it became increasingly difficult to win. For such an honor to appear once a decade was remarkable—yet this year, China claimed it once more.

To say there was no envy would be a lie—every team present would have to admit as much, exchanging knowing glances. Of course, many were genuinely happy for such an achievement. After all, isn't this the very spirit of the IMO? True lovers of mathematics rejoice in its progress and new discoveries!

"Wu Tong, hurry, go on stage—the IMO Special Prize! Hahaha, I knew you could do it!" Li Yisheng and the others hugged Wu Tong with laughter, urging her to accept this singular honor.

With Wu Tong receiving her special prize, the IMO award ceremony truly came to an end. After one final round of thanks, the IMO officially concluded.

News of the Chinese team's six-gold victory at the IMO was transmitted home at once. Major media outlets spread the news: "Breaking News! All Members Win Gold! At the 51st IMO, China Clinches a Perfect Victory!" "Three Consecutive Championships—China Wins Six Golds at the International Mathematical Olympiad!" "Sensational! The Pearl of the Orient Achieves Another Perfect Score and Receives the IMO Special Prize!"

In an instant, the news exploded across the internet. The entire country rejoiced—netizens celebrated as if it were New Year's.

"Other people's high schools: international gold medals. My high school: admiring the greats and waving flags to cheer them on!"

"Solving world-class problems, a perfect score in the college entrance exam, a perfect score and world first at the IMO... My mother asked why I was kneeling—my legs just go weak for the greats!"

"Heroes arise from the youth—Chinese youth, stunning the world!"

That evening, the IMO organizing committee and the host country held a farewell banquet, buffet-style, with an array of local delicacies. As most participants were students and many countries have age restrictions on alcohol, the beverages were primarily fruit juices and soft drinks.

Students from all teams noticed that many committee members sought out Wu Tong for conversation, reinforcing their realization that she was different from them.

While they were still inexperienced students, Wu Tong was already in demand, internationally renowned—a scholar of global repute.

Wu Tong responded politely to the various enthusiastic approaches, taking moments between interactions to find dishes she liked and fill herself up. In truth, she preferred quiet contemplation to the busy social scene.

(End of chapter)