Astronomy Olympiads for School Students and Their Role in Training Astronomers

For many years, astronomy Olympiads in Russia—both the All-Russian Olympiad and prestigious ‘‘selected’’ (or ‘‘listed’’) Olympiads such as the St. Petersburg Astronomy Olympiad, the Moscow Olympiad in Astronomy, and others—have served as a crucial training ground for astronomy departments and faculties at universities. However, in recent years, for various reasons, the situation has begun to change: these Olympiads are increasingly evolving into a form of ‘‘competitive sport,’’ largely disconnected from the professional careers their participants later choose. This report discusses the reasons behind these changes, their implications for astronomical education, and potential ways to resolve this emerging crisis.