M.Mahdi's blog

Let's bring souvenirs to the ICPC World Finals
By M.Mahdi, history, 6 years ago, In English

Hi everyone!

On-site competitive programming competitions are rare and valuable events, and we all practice hard to have great competition. But I guess we are missing a point. One notable opportunity that exists in these kinds of events is getting to know other members of the competitive programming community, more than what we see in the scoreboards. The lunch club was a cool way of using this opportunity. (scott_wu, are we going to have the club this year? )

I remember the last day of IOI 2017. After everything was finished and the medals were given, I went back to the hotel and I saw an unexpected scene. I found there is this cool tradition in IOIs that in the last day contestants gather together, take pictures, and give out souvenirs. (FYI, I wasn't an IOI participant, I was in the host scientific committee.) I still have the souvenirs that I got from Japanese and Chinese contestants, and It encouraged me to search and get more familiar with their cool cultures.

So, in the remaining days before the trip to Portugal, I'm going to buy some souvenirs to give out in the world finals. I guess we can do this after dinner on the last day, in the lobby of the hotel. I'd be glad if you come and get it!

If you are interested, join the club and bring something from your country for everyone! Maybe this way, we start the tradition of bringing souvenirs to the world finals.

UPD: As stated here, the meeting is better to be in the farewell dinner hall instead of the hotel lobby. So we'll meet in Alfândega — West Ground Floor on Thursday. We will need to bring our souvenirs when leaving the hotel in the morning because we will go directly to the closing ceremony and celebration dinner from the contest. Please let your friends know the change so that no one misses the gathering.

UPD2: Don't forget your souvenirs tomorrow!

Good luck in the contest. :)

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Comments Comments (28)
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6 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +48 Vote: I do not like it

Let's make a list who's in to this idea. We (Sharif UT from Iran) are in.

ko_osaga will your team join too? :D

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6 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +45 Vote: I do not like it

I think this idea is absolutely awesome. Count us in (Bina Nusantara University from Indonesia). I wish we could still keep in touch afterwards.

Note: I'm also available on CP Community Discord Server for further discussion

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6 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +31 Vote: I do not like it

Yeees I loved that initiative in IOI! Count Universidad de Los Andes in(Colombia)

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
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    nice !! the more the merrier :)

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it -50 Vote: I do not like it

    Don't bring drugs to ICPC!!!

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      6 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +37 Vote: I do not like it

      I must say that is terribly rude. The fact that you assume that all Colombians use drugs is absolutely disrespectful and the lack of consideration that it is a sensitive topic to us because it has been a big struggle and inflicted a lot of pain is a clear example of your ignorance. So next time you make a comment like that, please try to inform yourself a little better and consider if the comment is of any worth.

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +34 Vote: I do not like it

    You guys had the coolest gifts at IOI! I wish I were a participant so I could return the favor :(

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6 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +10 Vote: I do not like it

Be careful. There is a high chance they'll put toxic in food and give it to you as a revenge for you getting higher rank than them.

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6 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +32 Vote: I do not like it

I love to join that party and have bought lots of souvenirs already. But I prefer to have a "souvenir exchange" during the farewell dinner. Everyone is not in the same hotel, so it is hard to meet.

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +21 Vote: I do not like it

    I'm glad that you will be in the club!

    I didn't know there is more than one hotel for contestants. The farewell dinner is a good idea, but after the contest, there is no time to go back to the hotels. We must have our souvenirs with ourselves from the early morning! I guess this is our only option.

    What do you think?

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      6 years ago, # ^ |
      ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +24 Vote: I do not like it

      Oh.. I am coach. Maybe that's why I am in a different hotel. Btw, pls do not limit the club to contestants only :( I still prefer more chances for everyone to meet together. I don't think bringing souvenirs is inconvenient, as you can put it in your backpack or bag, and leave it during the contest, as I always did when I was contestant.

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        6 years ago, # ^ |
        ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +41 Vote: I do not like it

        We absolutely must not limit the party to contestants only!

        I also do believe the souvenirs are a good tradition, but the main goal of this party is the gathering and communication between the community. And we can bring our souvenirs to the goodbye dinner, as you said.

        So we change the plan and gather in Alfândega — West Ground Floor, on Thursday at 21:00. All the participants are welcome.

        Dinner is on me! :D

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6 years ago, # |
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Auto comment: topic has been updated by M.Mahdi (previous revision, new revision, compare).

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6 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +210 Vote: I do not like it

I'm in! As gifts, I will be happy to give 12 branded hats (pilot edition) to the best participants of the round 549 among the ICPC Finalists (Div. 1 Only). Thanks to Updown there is almost complete list of the ICPC finalists with Codeforces handles. I'll use exactly this list to find the required top 12. Sorry if you will not be able to participate because of flights, but apparently there are no other options.

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

    Я думаю, если бы они были белыми, то выглядило бы лучше.

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +8 Vote: I do not like it

    How can we receive it?

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6 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +39 Vote: I do not like it

Thanks for the shoutout! We're back this year and will be running ICPC Connections at WF -- check it out!

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6 years ago, # |
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Auto comment: topic has been updated by M.Mahdi (previous revision, new revision, compare).

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6 years ago, # |
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Should we meet near the main entrance of the contest venue, in front of the ICPC office?

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
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    Let's meet after the dinner, in front of the dinner hall

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6 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +10 Vote: I do not like it

Guys, don't miss this souvenir exchange. :D

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