The 40th International Physics Olympiad, IPhO 2009, was held in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, from July 12 to 19, 2009. This event is sponsored by the Mexico Ministry of Education, the National Council of Science and Technology, and the Yucatan State Government.

Israel emerged from the international competition with one gold, one silver and three bronze medals.

Perhaps the star was Itamar Hasson, who this year completed his studies in the Amit High School Bar Ilan, who earned a gold medal, two months after earning a silver medal in a similar competition in Thailand two months earlier. The 17-year-old Tel Aviv resident skipped a grade, permitting him to complete high school this year. He simultaneously is completing his BA in physics from Bar Ilan University.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)