Five Hong Kong secondary students will participate for the first time in the International Physics Olympiad to be held in South Korea from July 15 to 23. They will compete with more than 70 teams from around the globe.

Sum Sung-fung of Kwun Tong Maryknoll College, Law Man-lung of Po Leung Kuk No. 1 WH Cheung College, Cheung Shi of Sing Yin Secondary School, Ho Kin-fai of St Mark's School, and Yuen Chun-pong of Queen Elizabeth School will represent Hong Kong.

They were commissioned at a flag-presentation ceremony today to participate in the international contest.

The International Physics Olympiad aims to enhance the development of international contacts in the field of physics education and offer more exposure to the international arena for students with high potential in physics. Contestants will face challenging questions involving theory and experiments.

At today's ceremony, prizes were given to honour students who made outstanding achievements in the Hong Kong Physics Olympiad 2004 held in May.

A total of 24 students were awarded first prize, 42 students second prize, 55 students third prize and 12 students an honourable mention.

Guangdong sent guest contestants

For those high-achieving guest contestants from Guangdong, 34 were awarded first prize, four second prize and two third prize.

Training sessions will be organised for the high-achieving secondary four and five students, along with professional development for their physics teachers.

The most outstanding students will have a chance to represent Hong Kong in the next International Physics Olympiad to be held in Spain in July next year.