The challenges that one finds at the Olympics are well known to many sports enthusiasts as they attract worldwide attention every four years. One understands that he will get to see the best and strongest, the most practiced and the best prepared and some of the most attractive athletes in the world. The Olympic tradition stands for honor and excellence, and it requires almost super-human effort
. to be a contender in the games. The Olympics, as they have come to be known since their introduction into Greek society at the peak of its civilization, place an emphasis on physical beauty, strength and agility. While many of the athletes who compete there may be highly intelligent and skilled in various intellectual disciplines, a mental competition is not the primary goal of the traditional Olympic Games. Possibly modeling after the Olympic model, a Math Olympiad has taken shape that encourages participants to do their best as well. The program endeavors to recognize and encourage those who have talent in the field of math. The CBSE Portal site at http://www.cbseportal.com/exam/Download/Sample-Papers-Internatioanl-Mathematics-Olympiad-2nd-Standard-to-12th-Standard presents a link for a reader to download for free some sample papers of the International Mathematics Olympiad for 2nd Standard to 12th Standard. A menu on the left side of the page lets a reader explore numerous topics related to student resources, fun games and study abroad. The Regional Mathematics Olympiad site at http://entrance-exam.net/forum/question-papers/regional-mathematics-olympiad-exam-download-previous-years-question-papers-72647.html explains the purpose of an entrance exam as a qualifier to enter the competition. It intends to find candidates who can represent their countries in an international challenge. The paper that one must write will have to address geometry, trigonometry, algebra and other branches of mathematics. One is advised on the site to spend time examining the papers that are available for review as the best way to prepare properly. http://www.cbseportal.com/exam/Download/Sample-Papers-Internatioanl-Mathematics-Olympiad-2nd-Standard-to-12th-Standard or http://entrance-exam.net/forum/question-papers/regional-mathematics-olympiad-exam-download-previous-years-question-papers-72647.html