On 27 October, President Edgars Rinkēvičs welcomed the winners of international subject Olympiads and competitions in the 2025/2026 academic year, as well as the recipients of the Atis Kronvalds Award, at Riga Castle.
“This has been an exceptionally productive period. Our mathematicians have won the highest number of medals in 28 years. Our geographers have achieved a historic fifth place in the world. Our physicists and participants in other Olympiads have also achieved excellent results. My sincere thanks to all those who took part in the Olympiads and were not afraid to take on the challenge. Many thanks to the teachers and educators – none of this would have been possible without you, without your patience and support, and sometimes your willingness to give students a gentle push and a little encouragement. My thanks also go to the parents, because no achievement would truly be possible without the support of family. And thank you to the school principals, too, because schools must also create an environment that fosters a desire to learn.
Throughout the coming month, we will take pride in our Latvia, its people and the hardworking individuals in every field. But without an educated nation and society, it is impossible to develop a secure and prosperous country. I therefore extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone working in the education system and striving through hardships to reach for the stars. May this ceremony, and the entire month ahead, inspire us all and give us positive energy as we look towards another year for our country and another year of work,” said the President at the event.
