<p>Hear, hear Data Box. I made USAMO twice, and can say that it DOES take a lot of hard work. (Try and solve an Olympiad problem, and you will see the kind of time it takes to build up to that). And, it is not an extension of academics whatsoever. The only link between USAMO and math class is the word math. Making USAMO requires a level of creativity, mastery, and imagination that is unfathomable to the average high school student. As DataBox said, throwing around qualifying for USAMO as easy is outrageous.
Also, saying that math people have no personality is crazy. My friends on my school’s math team are the coolest people I know- you have to get to know them.
Math Olympians should get more recognition than DII and DIII athletes. DI athletes are obviously extremely hardworking and talented people. But comparing USAMO to the average high school football player…</p>