The Olympiad took place at the University of Oslo from the 30th of June to July 7th 1996 with 260 participants from 55 countries. The IPhO was founded 30 years ago in Eastern Europe but it was not until the early 1980's that Western Countries began to participate, first through Germany then UK, USA and Canada. Norway first took part in 1985. The competition is for teams of five students, none of whom have yet entered University.
Individual competitors sit for intensive theoretical and laboratory examinations.
For their efforts the students can be awarded gold, silver or bronze medals or honourable mentions. Two Canadian students received bronze medals, and one received an honourable mention. Canada will be the host of the competition in 1997 at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario.