The Slovak student Simon Ownerawarded the bronze medal at the Central European Mathematics Olympiadhas captured the attention of the media and social networks after refusing to shake hands with the president of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini.
The incident took place at the presidential palace during the awards ceremony, where Education Minister Tomas Drucker presented the medal to Omanik. The awkward moment came when Drucker suggested the student greet Pellegriniwho had already extended his hand. But Omanik declined the proposal and remained firm.
Afterwards, The young man did agree to pose with the minister and the president for an official photograph, but with a very serious face and before retreat without even looking at Pellegrini.
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During the ceremony, Simon Omanik wore a ribbon with the colors of the Ukrainian flag on his jacketwhich soon gave rise to speculation about a possible silent protest against Pellegrini’s recent actions regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Shortly after, the student explained that he believed that Pellegrini had secured his presidential victory through lies and exploiting fear and the lowest human instincts. “In addition to the usual populist promises of cheap food and gasoline that populists repeat before each election, also accused his opponent of planning to send us to war in Ukraine“he told the media.
“He would never have sent us there, and even if he had, there would have been no rational justification for it. It was a lie and a manipulation of the lowest human emotions: fear and, perhaps, in some sectors of Slovak society, the antipathy towards Ukraine“he added.
