One gold, three bronzes at the Physics Olympiad.

The 56th International Physics Olympiad concluded in Bucaramanga, Colombia, with Slovenia securing its sixth gold medal in the competition's history. Five Slovenian students participated, competing against 381 participants from 91 countries. Primož Markovič from Gimnazija Bežigrad won the gold medal, while Aleksander Jotanović from Srednja elektro-računalniška šola in tehniška gimnazija Šolskega centra Novo mesto, Niko Habinc from Gimnazija Bežigrad, and Blaž Gašperlin from Gimnazija Kranj each claimed bronze medals. Svit Miklavčič from Gimnazija Vič received commendation. This marks one of the greatest achievements for the Slovenian team, which has previously secured gold medals in 2023 and 2025. The results have been steadily improving over recent years. The competition took place over two days, with each day lasting five hours. Participants tackled theoretical problems covering topics such as low-temperature magnets, light, hydrology, electron-positron systems, and ozone decay. On the experimental day, they measured steam pressure and thermal conductivity. The top position was claimed by Oh Ju-ha from South Korea, whose team secured five gold medals. The rigorous format tested both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, requiring precision and deep understanding of physics concepts. Slovenia’s participation in the competition is organized by the Slovenian Society of Physics Teachers (DMFA). The national team is selected based on performance in the national high school physics competition and an additional selection tournament. The country did not participate in the 2024 edition due to security concerns surrounding the Iranian-hosted event. Despite this absence, the team continued to perform strongly, demonstrating consistent improvement in recent years. The event in Bucaramanga brought together young physicists from around the world, fostering international collaboration and exchange. The competition environment encouraged problem-solving under time constraints, emphasizing both speed and accuracy. Theoretical challenges required analytical thinking, while the experimental tasks demanded careful measurement and data analysis. These elements combined to create a comprehensive test of scientific ability. Looking ahead, the next International Physics Olympiad will take place in Hungary. This transition highlights the rotating nature of the competition, which rotates among host countries. Slovenia’s continued involvement underscores its commitment to nurturing talent in physics education. The success of its team reflects the effectiveness of the domestic training system and the dedication of coaches and educators. The outcomes of this year’s Olympiad reinforce Slovenia’s growing reputation in international science competitions. With six gold medals in total, the nation has demonstrated sustained excellence. The current team’s achievements build upon previous successes, indicating a positive trajectory in physics education and student preparation. As the competition moves forward, the focus remains on maintaining and enhancing this level of performance through continued investment in educational resources and competitive opportunities.