Children's mathematics competition has a long history in the world. It is generally believed that it started at 1894 and was organized by the Hungarian mathematics community to commemorate the mathematician Eotvos Roland. Comparing mathematics competition with sports competition, it is the former Soviet Union that is linked with ancient Greece, the birthplace of science. She called the math competition the math Olympics. In the first half of the 20th century, different countries organized all kinds of mathematics competitions at all levels, first in schools, then in regions, and then in the whole country, and gradually formed a pyramid competition system. The further development of national competitions naturally creates the necessary conditions for the formation of the highest international competition. From 65438 to 0975, the Mathematics Committee of Budapest University in Hungary was initiated, and the first World Olympic Mathematics Competition (WMO) was held in Hungary from 65438 to 0978. With the expansion of its influence, more and more countries and regions are involved. 1998 With the support of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and the joint efforts of the Japanese Youth Intelligence Development Fund and 20 large enterprises, the headquarters of the Association was moved to Tokyo, Japan, and the current chairman is Professor Peter Frank, a world-renowned mathematics educator. At present, there are more than 60 teams participating in this competition. After more than 30 years of development, the operation of the World Mathematical Olympics has been gradually institutionalized and standardized, and a set of established routines has been followed by all previous hosts.

In 2005, after discussion and research by the members of the Association, it was decided to hold the World Youth Olympic Mathematics Competition in Tokyo, Japan in 2008. In 2006, it received an application from the China Organizing Committee, and was admitted to the association in August 2007.

These two are a competition, because the World Olympic Mathematics Competition is aimed at teenagers, so it is also called the World Youth Olympic Mathematics Competition.