Israeli students won 13 medals — including five golds — at the July 2026 International Science Olympiads in physics, biology and chemistry. The physics team took five medals in Colombia, the biology squad earned four in Lithuania and the chemistry team returned from Uzbekistan with four. Students trained at Ben-Gurion University, Tel Aviv University and the Technion, and officials hailed the results as proof of Israel’s strong STEM education and investment in young talent.
Israel Wins 13 Medals — Including Five Golds — At 2026 International Science Olympiads
Israel
Israeli students returned from July’s international Science Olympiads with 13 medals, five of them gold, earned across physics, biology and chemistry contests held around the world.
Strong Showings In Physics, Biology And Chemistry
At the International Physics Olympiad in Colombia — which drew delegations from more than 90 countries — Israel's team won five medals. Tenth-grader Ruth Kozlovsky captured a gold medal, while 12th-graders Noam Fleissig, Ahaya Kellner, Eitan Rotman and Elad Agmon each secured silver medals. Competitors were evaluated on a practical thermodynamics experiment and a rigorous theoretical exam covering optics, particle physics, nuclear physics and more.
The physics delegation trained at the Jusidman Science Center for Youth at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and was led by academic director Oleg Krichevsky and head coach Pavel Radzivilovsky.
“The Israeli physics team’s success in Colombia is clear proof of the high caliber of science education in Israel,” the president of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev said.
Biology: Molecular And Organismal Mastery
At the International Biology Olympiad in Lithuania, attended by nearly 80 nations, Israeli students who trained at Tel Aviv University won four medals, including two golds. Olga Besova and Yehuda Lester earned gold medals, while Yarden Hoch and Saar Paperni won bronze. The biology contest combined practical tasks in molecular biology and biochemistry with work on plants and animals, and a theoretical exam covering cells, genetics and organismal biology.
Israel's science teams conclude olympiad season with record 26 medals. (credit: Screenshot/Instagram/edu.gov.il)
Chemistry: Laboratory Skill And Theory
In Uzbekistan at the International Chemistry Olympiad, Israeli students earned four medals — two gold and two silver — competing against participants from more than 90 countries. Gold medals went to 12th-graders Itamar Ben Shmuel and Yogev Cohen Ben Zaken; Yehonadav Marienberg and Daniel Granovsky took silver. The chemistry program, run at the Technion under head mentor Eyal Barnea and mentor Yury Andreev, tested physical, organic and inorganic chemistry and required intensive laboratory work.
“We represented the country with great honor and received immense appreciation thanks to your achievements: 2 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and a global ranking of 8th place in the world,” chemistry academic director Zeev Gross said. “So thank you, and well done to all of you.”
National Support And Broader Impact
Education Minister Yoav Kisch praised the teams: “In just over a week, Israel's teams have won 13 Olympic medals across three different scientific fields. This is a clear expression of the depth of excellence that has been built here over the years.” The Maimonides Fund’s Future Scientists Center, together with the Ministry of Education and partner universities, supports training and competition participation.
The results also contribute to a record season for Israel’s Olympiad delegations: nationwide teams concluded the 2026 cycle with a combined total of 26 medals across all international events — a sign of growing investment in STEM education and talent development.
Where the students trained: Ben-Gurion University (Jusidman Science Center), Tel Aviv University, and the Technion.
Help us improve.
