Cuba achieved an impressive feat by winning three gold medals and one silver at the XVII Ibero-American Biology Olympiad 2024 (OIAB 2024), held from September 8 to 13 at the University of Havana. The event saw participation from representatives of 15 countries.
The talented students, Elio Manuel Rodríguez Rivero (Villa Clara), Christian Darío Blanco (Pinar del Río), Cristian Barrero (Santiago de Cuba), and Ana Liz Ramírez (Sancti Spíritus), secured the three gold medals and one silver medal, respectively, as reported by the state-run broadcaster CMHW.
“Each student completed two theoretical exams, accounting for 60% of the final score, while the remaining 40% was determined by three practical tests (Zoology, Botany, and Molecular Biology), which together formed the final ranking,” explained Professor Frank Manuel Duquesne Ariosa, a coach involved in the competition.
According to CMHW, the competition recognized the efforts of emerging talents and fostered friendships between educators and students through various side activities. The news portal also highlighted that Elio Rodríguez's participation earned him direct admission to a Biochemistry program.
“The stress was worth it, as it led to significant personal achievements, and I am grateful to my family, friends, teammates, and, of course, coaches,” said the gold medalist.
Granma reported that Cuba's participation in the Ibero-American Biology Olympiads (OIAB) has been outstanding over the years. For instance, in the 2023 edition, two Cuban contestants won gold, reinforcing the country's prestige in this event. The proposed venues for the OIAB in 2025 and 2026 are Colombia and Guatemala, respectively.
For Santiago's Cristian Barrero Hernández, a student at the IPVCE Antonio Maceo Grajales in Santiago de Cuba, this marks his second gold medal in the prestigious competition, following his first in 2023 at the Central American and Caribbean Biology Olympiad.
Barrero will begin his Mandatory Military Service in October and, once completed, will attend university to study Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Havana, as he revealed to Cuba Noticias 360.
Upcoming months will feature several international knowledge competitions, including the Central American Biology Olympiad in El Salvador in November. However, due to the rules of these events, Barrero will not be able to participate.
“In biology olympiads, participation is limited to one-time entries, so I can’t attend the Central American event again since I competed last year,” explained the young biologist.
It is equally disheartening that, despite the existence of the International Biology Olympiad, Cuba has not been able to participate due to budget constraints. “I’m sure we could achieve great things if we participated,” the medalist added.
This year, several Cuban students have garnered significant accolades in competitive events. Marco Antonio Escandón García, an eleventh-grade student at the IPVCE Ernesto Guevara in Villa Clara, recently won a bronze medal at the 36th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI 2024) held in Alexandria, Egypt.
In August, Rosmary Fernández Tamayo, a student at the IPVCE Luis Urquiza Jorge in Las Tunas, received an honorable mention at the Central American and Caribbean Physics Olympiad in El Salvador.
Additionally, two students representing Cuba at the 56th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO 2024) in July won a bronze medal and an honorable mention at the prestigious competition held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
FAQs on Cuba's Success at the Ibero-American Biology Olympiad
In light of Cuba's achievements at the XVII Ibero-American Biology Olympiad, here are some frequently asked questions about the event and the participants' future plans.
What is the Ibero-American Biology Olympiad?
The Ibero-American Biology Olympiad (OIAB) is an annual competition that brings together talented biology students from Ibero-American countries to compete in theoretical and practical exams.
How did Cuban students perform at the 2024 event?
Cuban students won three gold medals and one silver medal at the XVII Ibero-American Biology Olympiad 2024, showcasing their exceptional skills and knowledge.
What are the future plans for the gold medalists?
Gold medalist Cristian Barrero Hernández will begin his Mandatory Military Service in October and plans to study Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at a university in Havana once he completes his service.
Why can't Cuba participate in the International Biology Olympiad?
Cuba has been unable to participate in the International Biology Olympiad due to budget constraints, despite the potential for significant achievements.