There are many similarities between mathematical competition and sports competition in spirit, so mathematical competition is called mathematical Olympics internationally. The earliest math contest was held in Hungary in 1894. Since then, many countries have followed suit and held national mathematics competitions. 1902, Romania held the first mathematics competition; 1934, the former Soviet Union held the "Mathematical Olympics" for the first time. Later Bulgaria/KOOC-0/949, Poland/KOOC-0/950, Czechoslovakia/KOOC-0/95/KOOC-0/,Yugoslavia and the Netherlands/KOOC-0/962, Mongolia/KOOC-0/963 and Britain/KOOC-0/963.

From 65438 to 0956, the famous mathematician Professor Hua and other senior high school mathematics competitions were held in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Han, which opened the prelude to China's mathematics competitions.

The international mathematics competition starts from 1959. This year, the Romanian Mathematical Society initiated the initiative of holding the first "International Mathematical Olympics" in Bucharest for the first time, which received positive response from seven countries in Eastern Europe. Since then, an international mathematics competition has been held every year around the world. From 65438 to 0985, China sent representatives to participate in the 26th International Mathematical Olympiad for the first time.