The International Chemistry Olympiads are held every year in early July. The basic idea of such an international competition is to compare the standards of basic science education between the participating countries. Each participant country selects a four-membered team of students for the competition. The competitors must be under 20 years of age, and they must be from a secondary school (ie, they may not have received any special education in chemistry). Training courses are allowed.
Similar Olympiads are also held in mathematics, physics and computer science.
The host country takes care of all expenses within its borders. In addition to the competitors, each country is expected to send two leaders. The International Jury consists of these leaders and the Scientific Board, which is made up of the scientists of the organising country. The competition consists of theoretical and practical exams, which are held on separate days. In addition to the exams, the organisers try to give a positive image of their country. It usually takes ten days to complete the whole event, and the competitors have plenty of time to get to know each other while visiting the best parts of the country.
All medals are awarded at the closing ceremony. Usually, the top 10 % receive a gold medal, the next 20 % a silver medal, and the next 30 % a bronze medal.