Dear Delegates,

Last January, we mailed the official invitation letter for the 35th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO-2004) to the Minister of Education or the Equivalent of each country. Please refer to the attached photocopy of the official invitation letter.

We have received the confirmation forms from the 64 countries listed below. We thank you for your prompt confirmation and we welcome all of you.

We are very pleased to inform you of the following news about the participating countries: Argentina and Greece, which missed the previous competition, are returning to IPhO this year. In addition, Ecuador, Hong Kong, and Nigeria will participate in IPhO for the first time. We will also be in constant contact with countries that have not yet expressed their intention to participate in IPhO.

For your information, we have attached the Pre-registration Form regarding leaders, observers and visitors. Please fill out the form completely and return it to the secretariat of IPhO-2004 by April 10, 2004 by e-mail, ordinary mail or fax with the contact information below:

IPhO-2004 Organizing Committee
Room 907, KSTC Main Bldg. 635-4
Yeoksam-Dong, Kangnam-Ku, Seoul, Korea 135-703
TEL: 82-2-563-8932 or 8933 FAX: 82-2-563-8931
E-Mail: secretary@ipho2004.or.kr

As you may know, the IPhO-2004 Organizing Committee will cover all the official expenses for the team, including meals, accommodations, and transportation, during the official period. However, travel expenses between your country and the official airports of IPhO-2004 in Korea will be each participating country's responsibility. As an established custom in the International Physics Olympiad, each participating country is kindly expected to contribute a voluntary fee of US$3,500 to share the financial weight of the competition. Observers and visitors are welcome, but will need to cover their own expenses. The fee for each observer is US$1,100 and for each visitor is US$1,000. Observers may attend all Olympiad meetings, including the meetings of the International Board. However they may not vote or take part in marking discussions. Visitors will be unable to attend International Board meetings.

You can pay the above fees through a bank transfer or cash on venue. We will inform you of further details on the payment process in the next circular.

The most common way of reaching Korea is through Incheon International Airport. However, we selected Gimhae International Airport, which is close to Pohang (http://gimhae.airport.co.kr), and the Pohang Domestic Airport (http://pohang.airport.co.kr), as official airports.

Below, I and II are ways to reach the official airports, while III and ¥³ shows how to reach each venue from Pohang Domestic Airport or Gimhae International Airport.

The first shows how to go directly from Incheon International Airport to Gimhae International Airport, while the second is to Pohang Domestic Airport via Gimpo Domestic Airport. When you arrive at Incheon International Airport, our team will assist you to ensure your safe arrival. Flights from Incheon International Airport to Gimhae International Airport are available 3 or 4 times a day. Please contact your local travel agency for more information.

The IPhO-2004 transportation team will provide a shuttle service between the official airports and each venue, Gyeongju Hilton Hotel or POSTECH.

Please note that it may be possible for some countries to directly enter to Korea through Gimhae International Airport. Listed below are airlines that offer service to Gimhae International Airport. Most other airlines will arrive at Incheon International Airport.

We recommend booking flights for your delegation as early as possible. If you plan to arrive in Korea earlier than July 15, 2004, please let us know well in advance. We can make arrangements for your accommodation at Gyeongju Hilton Hotel, the venue for leaders.

Students will stay in the dormitory of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) in Pohang, the competition site, and a city known for being the first on the Korean Peninsula to greet the morning sun. POSTECH is a reputed university of science and technology, with a pleasant and serene environment.

Leaders, along with observers and visitors, will stay at Gyeongju Hilton Hotel in Gyeongju, which was a capital of the ancient Shilla Dynasty a thousand years ago. It now has various tourist attractions with a rich Korean cultural heritage. Gyeongju is located about 30-40 minutes away from POSTECH by car.

Basically, two persons will be asked to share a room. However, if you would like an individual room, please let us know when you register for IPhO-2004 and note that there would be an additional charge of US$350 for the 8 nights of the official period. Due to the limited number of single rooms available, they will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.

For more detailed information of IPhO-2004 and the most recent updates, please visit our official website (http://www.ipho2004.or.kr), which we will update continuously.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions on the IPhO-2004.

With best wishes,

Zheong G. Khim Chairman Organizing committee of IPhO-2004

PRE-REGISTRATION FORM

PRE-REGISTRATION FORM Download

The PRE-REGISTRATION FORM should reach the Secretariat of IPhO-2004 by April 10, 2004 at the following address:

IPhO-2004 Organizing Committee
Room 907, KSTC Main Bldg. 635-4
Yeoksam-Dong, Kangnam-Ku, Seoul, Korea 135-703
TEL: 82-2-563-8933, 8932 FAX: 82-2-563-8931
E-Mail: secretary@ipho2004.or.kr Homepage: http://www.ipho2004.or.kr