Bandung to host Physics Olympiad

Bandung to host Physics Olympiad

BANDUNG: The West Java capital of Bandung is scheduled to host
the 33rd International Physics Olympiad in 2002, after Singapore
declined to do so, an organizer said.

Satria Bijaksana, deputy head of the event, said here on
Sunday that the Indonesian government received the offer after
Singapore said that it was not ready to host the event.

"The calm and laid-back ambience of Bandung may have been one
of the considerations in its choice as the host city for the 33rd
Physics Olympiad," said Satria.

He said that if Indonesia turned down the offer, its next
chance would not come around until after 2019 as the Physics
Olympiad Committee had already decided on the hosts from 2003
until 2018.

Last year's event, hosted by Turkey, was attended by
participants from 68 countries. About 70 countries were expected
to send representatives to the next event in Bandung to be held
from July 14 to 23, 2002.

"We have informed the participating countries about the
event," Satria said, adding that the official invitations would
be sent out in October.

Each country could send up to five contestants, said Satria.
(25/02)