OWAO is a modern and rapidly growing competition that brings together talented and passionate astronomy students from around the world. OWAO combines the best astronomical traditions with cutting-edge knowledge assessment methods, and its tasks are developed by leading experts from various countries.

Teams are made up of the participants of various ages. The age of the Olympiad participants included in the team must not exceed 18 years. The minimum age threshold is not established. We suggest you to get acquainted with last year’s assignments to evaluate your knowledge.

The Olympiad includes four rounds: observational, practical, theoretical and test ones. The tasks are created by an Academic Commission consisting of representatives from different countries.

The Olympiad takes place at Sirius Federal Territory from 20 to 27 September 2025. It is supported by the Sirius Educational Center, the main goal of which is to encourage gifted children.

Not only captivating tasks are awaiting the participants but an extensive cultural program comprising lectures, creative and educational workshops and excursions.

Last year almost 70 children were completing the tasks both in person at Sirius and remotely from all over the world. Overall, 22 people were awarded with gold medals: representatives of Russia, Bulgaria, Belarus, Armenia and Peru. 19 schoolchildren received silver medals and 13 — bronze ones. Ekaterina Churkina from Russia, who solved practical round with a full score, became the absolute winner of the Olympiad.

The Sirius federal territory is located in the Imeretinskaya Lowland between the Mzymta and Psou rivers and surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains and a unique nature reserve (Caucasian Biosphere Reserve and Sochi National Park). The territory hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics, following which Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated the foundation of the Sirius Educational Center for talented children from all across the country.

Now, based on the Olympic legacy, Sirius also accommodates and develops the University of Science and Technology, the Presidential Lyceum, modern laboratories, as well as cultural and sports infrastructure. Both children and their teachers and mentors study here. Scientists create innovative solutions thanks to the vast capabilities of the Sirius Science and Technology Center. Engineers work on delivering and adapting such solutions to urban spaces. National standards in education, science, culture, sport, and other fields are set here to later be scaled all over the country. The open Sirius federal project aims at identifying and developing talents of all ages for the benefit of the whole country and each and every Russian citizen as well.