After the news was relayed, the Indian hosts imdiately communicated with the International Maths Union. Naturally, the Indian hosts were very unsatisfied; they did not want to see the ’most core’ award recipient absent from the Congress of Mathematicians.
They even bluntly suggested, "Give the Fields dal to soone else! If they don’t co to receive it, it’s the sa as giving up the trophy. We can reevaluate the candidates or promote the runners-up."
The officials of the International Maths Union instantly shook their heads in refusal and even looked back as if they were looking at fools.
Since when did the organizers of the International Congress of Mathematicians have the right to ddle with the selection of the Fields dal?
Furthermore, to give it to soone else?
Wake up!
The International Maths Union is the largest international mathematical organization, and their most influential award is the Fields dal. The Fields dal is recognized as the Nobel Prize in mathematics and, in most people’s eyes, it has more influence than the Wolf Prize or the Abel Prize. The influence of the Fields dal rests on two foundations: first, the age restriction for recipients, as the under-forty requirent ensures that most Fields dalists are extraordinary mathematical talents, not ordinary mathematicians who rely on experience to produce results. Because of this, many Fields dal winners go on to receive various other awards, including the most prestigious Nobel Prize.
Moreover, it’s about fairness.
For any award to wield influence, fairness is the fundantal requirent.
If even the fairness of the selection process is absent, then the award loses its aning. Zhao Yi’s mathematical achievents and personal influence in the international mathematical community are universally recognized as fitting for a Fields dal recipient. One could say that anyone who pays attention to the Fields dal knows that this year’s award belongs to Zhao Yi alone.
In such a case, because Zhao Yi does not attend the Congress of Mathematicians, should the Fields dal be given to soone else?
At that ti, the mathematician awarded the Fields might even refuse on the spot—it’s a definite possibility. They could provide plenty of reasons: "My achievents don’t compare to Zhao Yi’s. I believe Zhao Yi is the one who deserves the Fields dal!"
This kind of scenario is almost certain to occur!
The mathematical community has many eccentrics and extremists, either with a mania for purity or with a brain wired differently.
Most top mathematicians don’t understand social niceties. They are devoted to pursuing their ideals, their faith, imrsing themselves entirely in mathematical research. For them, right is right, wrong is wrong. An award should be given to whoever deserves it; otherwise, it’s considered an insult to themselves.
If such an incident were to occur, it would be extrely awkward.
Compared to that, Zhao Yi’s absence from the conference hardly matters. It just ans he won’t be there; perhaps a little communication might convince him to co?
Maybe a compromise solution can be found?
There have been cases where top international award winners were not present at the ceremony; there must be ways to solve this!
Very quickly.
The International Maths Union managed to contact Zhao Yi and wanted to discuss a compromise that would allow him to receive the award without attending.
They thought of several solutions.
For example, Zhao Yi could record a video in advance to be played at the award ceremony.
Another option was to send an awarding team to Zhao Yi in advance for a confidential pre-award ceremony. The video could then be used for promotional purposes during the event.
Or, Zhao Yi could appoint a representative to receive the award on his behalf at the ceremony.
And so on.
Zhao Yi was very pleased with the attitude of the Maths Union. After careful consideration, he thought all the options were good.
Or perhaps...
he could hire an M-group to run the errand?
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