Programmers From Russia Won at the ICPC
The best programmers in the world study and live in Russia. They are the students from St. Petersburg, who won at the ICPC in the US. The team from the Informational Technologies, Mechanics and Optics Institute wins for the 7th time. They solve the toughest problems way faster than their rivals. Our correspondent Nikolay Vasilyev asked the winners what their secret is. The world cup in programming stays in St. Petersburg for another year. For the last 5 years, only two Institutes' teams have been winning, SPbSU and now, ITMO. There are really strong teams here this year, many of them are from China and from Europe, especially from Poland. We knew that the Warsaw team was very strong. We knew this competition would be tough. But we were well prepared, too, and we came to fight for top 3. It worked out even better than we expected. After 4 hours, 3 teams were in the lead, from the Seoul and Warsaw Universities, and from St. Petersburg's ITMO. The last hour was crucial, when the Koreans and the Polish took up 12 and 11 problems, but only solved 10. So did the Russians. But the St. Petersburg team had the best timing. The ITMO team became an absolute ICPC champion. However, there were other rewards, as well. So, the gold went to the students from SPbSU, Silver went to the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and the bronze went to the Ekaterinburg's Ural Federal University. ITMO don't hide their secret for victory. Constant practice, proper regime with bedtime at 10 p.m., and understanding that winning at an international competition means winning for the country. What shocked me the most in the Finals, besides the crazy battle, that the guys brought out a Russian flag in America, I didn't even have to ask them. These kids solve the problems in just 3 minutes. This is what happens, when the students have proper resources, proper goals and training throughout the year. Along with the cup and the medals, the team receives a monetary prize of $15,000. And of course, a warm welcome awaits the victors in their Alma Mater. The champions will return home on Monday.
