ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Fields Medal

The Fields Medal is a special prize that is awarded to some of the smartest people in the world who work in mathematics. It is similar to an Olympic gold medal, but for mathematicians instead of athletes.

Every four years, the International Mathematical Union (IMU) selects up to four winners for the Fields Medal. The award recognizes their work for solving really important and difficult math problems.

The medal itself is made of gold and has a famous mathematician, Archimedes, depicted on it. When the winners receive the medal, they also get some prize money that they can use to keep doing amazing things with their math skills.

Winning the Fields Medal is like being the champion of math. It is a very big deal and it shows that the person who won is really, really good at math.