The medal design for the 67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO 2026) places mathematics at its core while embodying the spirit of China, harmonizing ancient and modern wisdom within a compact space.
Obverse: Features the official IMO 2026 emblem, clearly conveying the visual identity of the event.
Reverse: Centered around the Zhao Shuang Xian Tu (Zhao Shuang's hypotenuse diagram)— a treasure of ancient Chinese mathematics. This diagram originates from Zhao Shuang’s proof of the Pythagorean theorem in the Zhoubi Suanjing during the Three Kingdoms period. It stands as one of the earliest, most elegant visual demonstrations of the theorem in global mathematical history. This structure of the "hypotenuse diagram" embodies a perfect union of algebra and geometry.
At the center of the diagram are the oracle bone script characters for "Zhong Guo" (China). These characters are derived from the phrase "Zhai Zi Zhong Guo" (Residing in the Central Land) found in the inscription on the He Zun (a ritual bronze vessel in Western Zhou dynasty), which is the earliest physical record of the term "Zhong Guo" discovered to date. Placing these ancient characters at the center of the hypotenuse diagram not only highlights the pioneering status of the Pythagorean theorem in the history of Chinese mathematics, but also renders the medal a unique memento of China's hosting of this edition of IMO.
Dimensions: The medal has a diameter of 9 cm. In Chinese culture, nine represents the ultimate “Yang” number, symbolizing the ultimate and infinity. In mathematical tradition, the Nine Halls of the Luoshu pioneered combinatorial mathematics, The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art laid the foundation for the Eastern mathematical system, and the concept of “jiu jiu gui yi” (Nine cycles of nine ultimately return to one, all complexities return to the essence) signifies cyclicality and eternity. The dimension of 9 centimeters serves as a tribute to the spirit of Chinese mathematics.
Ribbon: The ribbons for the gold, silver, and bronze medals feature color gradients derived from the IMO 2026 emblem; this design ensures alignment with the visual identity system, featuring a multi-layered contemporary aesthetic.
Through the precision of the geometric, the gravitas of the typography, the symbolism of the numbers, and the fluidity of color, this medal pays homage to the universal beauty of mathematics and the unique contributions of Chinese culture.(Special thanks to Mr. Gu Yongjiang, the designer of the IMO 2026 medal.)
