Cookie Policy

VF CUP International Mental Arithmetic Olympiad

Effective Date: 1 October 2026

This Cookie Policy (“Cookie Policy”, “Policy”) explains how the website and online platform of the VF CUP International Mental Arithmetic Olympiad (“VF CUP”, “Olympiad”) use cookies and similar technologies.

Website Operator and Data Controller:

VF Private Education LTD
Company Registration No.: HE 385788
Registered office: Marathonos 3, MALI HOUSE, 8011 Paphos, Cyprus
Email: vfcup.helpdesk@gmail.com
Website: https://the-olympic.world/

hereinafter referred to as “VF”, the “Organiser”, “we”, “us” or “our”.

1. What Are Cookies

1.1. A cookie is a small file or other piece of information that a website may store on or retrieve from a user’s device when the user visits the website.

1.2. Cookies may allow a website, among other things, to:

• maintain a user session;
• enable account login;
• support security functions;
• remember certain settings;
• enable technical operation of the platform;
• analyse website usage;
• use analytics or marketing tools where appropriate consent has been obtained.

1.3. In addition to traditional cookies, other similar technologies may be used, including local storage, session storage, pixels, SDKs and other technical identifiers.

1.4. In this Policy, the term “cookies” also refers to such similar technologies where applicable.

2. Legal Framework

2.1. The use of cookies is subject to applicable European Union and Cyprus laws concerning electronic privacy and personal data protection.

2.2. Prior consent is generally required for cookies and similar technologies that are not strictly necessary to provide a service expressly requested by the user.

2.3. Cookies that are strictly necessary for the operation of the website or the provision of a service expressly requested by the user may be used without separate consent where permitted by applicable law.

2.4. Where cookies involve the processing of personal data, such processing is also carried out in accordance with the Privacy Policy and applicable GDPR requirements.

3. Categories of Cookies We May Use

VF CUP may use the following categories of cookies:

1. Strictly Necessary Cookies;
2. Functional Cookies;
3. Analytics Cookies;
4. Marketing and Advertising Cookies.

The specific technologies used depend on the actual technical configuration of the website.

4. Strictly Necessary Cookies

4.1. Strictly necessary cookies are used for essential website and platform functions.

4.2. They may be required for:

• account login;
• identification of an active session;
• security;
• protection against abuse;
• maintaining registration or payment sessions;
• operation of the platform;
• routing of requests;
• prevention of technical errors;
• storing the user’s cookie preferences.

4.3. Without such cookies, certain VF CUP functions may not operate correctly or may be unavailable.

4.4. Where a cookie is objectively necessary to provide a service requested by the user, VF may use it without prior consent where permitted by applicable law.

4.5. Strictly necessary cookies must not be used for additional analytics or advertising purposes that are not necessary for the requested service.

5. Functional Cookies

5.1. Functional cookies allow the website to remember certain user preferences.

5.2. For example, they may be used to remember:

• selected language;
• interface settings;
• certain user preferences.

5.3. Depending on the specific function and applicable law, such cookies may require the user’s consent.

5.4. Where a functional feature is not strictly necessary, the relevant cookie should not be placed before any required consent has been obtained.

6. Analytics Cookies

6.1. Analytics cookies may be used to understand how users interact with the website.

6.2. They may provide aggregated information relating to:

• number of visits;
• popular pages;
• referral sources;
• devices used;
• browsers used;
• duration of visits;
• technical errors;
• user navigation through the website.

6.3. Such information may be used to improve:

• website structure;
• performance;
• stability;
• user interface;
• service quality.

6.4. Where analytics cookies are not strictly necessary, they are activated only after appropriate user consent has been obtained.

7. Marketing and Advertising Cookies

7.1. VF CUP may use marketing or advertising technologies only where such technologies are actually implemented on the website.

7.2. Such technologies may be used to:

• measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns;
• identify registration sources;
• measure conversions;
• display more relevant advertising;
• limit repeated display of advertisements;
• create advertising audiences.

7.3. Marketing and advertising cookies are not strictly necessary for participation in the Olympiad.

7.4. Such cookies should not be activated before appropriate user consent has been obtained.

7.5. Refusal of marketing cookies must not prevent ordinary registration or participation in VF CUP.

8. Third-Party Cookies

8.1. Certain website functions may be provided by third-party services.

8.2. Depending on the actual technical configuration, such services may include:

• payment providers;
• analytics platforms;
• security providers;
• video or media services;
• advertising platforms;
• other technology providers.

8.3. Such providers may place their own cookies or use similar technologies.

8.4. Where a third-party provider independently determines the purposes and means of processing personal data, it may act as an independent data controller.

8.5. Users are encouraged to review the privacy and cookie policies of the relevant third-party services.

9. Payment Services

9.1. When proceeding to payment or using an embedded payment function, technical tools provided by Stripe, Revolut, banks or other payment providers may be used.

9.2. Certain cookies used by such services may be necessary for:

• processing the payment;
• fraud prevention;
• payment security;
• transaction confirmation.

9.3. Such technologies may also be governed by the applicable payment provider’s own policies.

10. Cookies and Account Authentication

10.1. For registered users, cookies may be used to maintain an authenticated session.

10.2. These technologies allow users to move between platform pages without having to sign in again after every action.

10.3. Authentication cookies may also help protect accounts against unauthorised access.

10.4. Cookies used solely for maintaining a user session and security are treated as necessary cookies.

11. Cookies and the Olympiad

11.1. Certain technical technologies may be used during the Olympiad to:

• maintain an active session;
• ensure correct operation of the competition interface;
• provide security;
• prevent technical abuse;
• maintain continuity of the platform.

11.2. Such technologies must not be used for hidden advertising or marketing purposes under the designation of strictly necessary cookies.

11.3. Competition activity data, results and anti-fraud processing are described in more detail in the Privacy Policy and Olympiad Rules.

12. Consent to Cookies

12.1. When first visiting the website, the user may be shown a cookie banner or another cookie management tool.

12.2. Through such a tool, the user may be able to:

• accept permitted optional cookies;
• reject optional cookies;
• select individual cookie categories;
• change a previous choice.

12.3. Consent must be freely given, specific, informed and indicated through an affirmative action by the user.

12.4. Merely continuing to use the website without making an active choice is not treated by VF as consent to optional cookies where applicable law requires active consent.

12.5. Optional cookies should not be placed before valid consent has been obtained.

13. Right to Reject Optional Cookies

13.1. Users must be able to reject optional cookies.

13.2. Refusal of analytics or marketing cookies must not prevent the use of essential website functions.

13.3. Users are not required to consent to advertising tracking in order to register for or participate in the Olympiad.

13.4. Refusal of particular functional cookies may affect only the additional functions associated with those cookies.

14. Withdrawal or Modification of Consent

14.1. Users may change their decision regarding optional cookies.

14.2. Where a Cookie Settings / Cookie Preferences tool is available on the website, users may use it to modify their preferences.

14.3. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.

14.4. After consent is withdrawn, the relevant optional cookies should not be used to collect new information, except where otherwise permitted by law.

15. Duration of Cookies

15.1. Cookies may be:

Session Cookies

These operate during the current user session and are generally deleted when the browser is closed.

Persistent Cookies

These may remain on the user’s device for a specified period or until removed by the user.

15.2. The retention period of each cookie depends on its purpose.

15.3. VF seeks not to use cookies for longer than reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.

15.4. Specific retention periods for individual cookies may be displayed in the cookie management interface where technically available.

16. Browser Cookie Controls

16.1. Most web browsers allow users to manage cookies independently.

16.2. Browser settings commonly allow users to:

• view cookies;
• delete cookies;
• block all cookies;
• block third-party cookies;
• restrict cookie storage;
• configure rules for specific websites.

16.3. Blocking all cookies may cause functions that technically depend on cookies to stop working correctly.

16.4. In particular, the following may be affected:

• account login;
• maintenance of user sessions;
• certain registration functions;
• certain elements of the competition platform.

17. Local Storage and Session Storage

17.1. The platform may use browser technologies such as:

• local storage;
• session storage.

17.2. These technologies may be used to store technical information on the user’s device.

17.3. Where such technologies are used for purposes comparable to cookies, the relevant principles of this Policy apply to them.

18. Children and Cookies

18.1. A significant proportion of VF CUP participants may be minors.

18.2. VF applies particular care to the use of tracking technologies in relation to minors.

18.3. Necessary cookies may be used to operate the platform and enable a child to participate in the Olympiad.

18.4. Optional analytics or marketing technologies relating to minors are used only where an appropriate lawful basis and any required consent mechanism are in place.

18.5. Registration of a child does not itself constitute automatic consent to marketing tracking.

18.6. Additional information is provided in the Children & Parental Consent Policy.

19. Personal Data Collected Through Cookies

19.1. Certain cookies may generate or be linked to information that constitutes personal data.

19.2. Such information may include, for example:

• IP address;
• technical identifier;
• session identifier;
• device information;
• website interaction data.

19.3. Where such information constitutes personal data, it is processed in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

20. International Data Transfers

20.1. Certain analytics, technology or payment providers may process information outside the European Economic Area.

20.2. Where such processing involves a transfer of personal data, applicable GDPR requirements are followed.

20.3. Further information concerning international data transfers is provided in the Privacy Policy.

21. Current List of Cookies

21.1. The cookies and similar technologies used may change as the website and platform develop.

21.2. VF seeks to keep information concerning the categories of cookies actually used up to date.

21.3. Where a consent management system is implemented, the current list of specific cookies, providers, purposes and retention periods may be displayed directly in the Cookie Settings / Cookie Preferences section.

21.4. This Policy should not be interpreted as confirmation that any particular third-party analytics or advertising service is used where that service has not actually been implemented on the website.

22. Changes to This Cookie Policy

22.1. VF may update this Policy from time to time.

22.2. Changes may result from, among other things:

• changes in applicable law;
• implementation or removal of technology services;
• changes in the cookies used;
• changes to the platform;
• regulatory requirements.

22.3. The current version will be published on the official website.

22.4. The effective date of the relevant version is stated at the beginning of this document.

22.5. Where a change requires new user consent, VF will request such consent where required by applicable law.

23. Relationship with Other Documents

23.1. This Cookie Policy applies together with:

• Terms & Conditions;
• Olympiad Rules;
• Prize Policy;
• Privacy Policy;
• Children & Parental Consent Policy.

23.2. Personal data processing is described in more detail in the Privacy Policy.

23.3. Matters specifically concerning minors are additionally governed by the Children & Parental Consent Policy.

24. Contact Details

For questions concerning cookies and personal data processing, please contact:

vfcup.helpdesk@gmail.com

Website Operator and Data Controller:

VF Private Education LTD
Company Registration No.: HE 385788
Registered office: Marathonos 3, MALI HOUSE, 8011 Paphos, Cyprus
Website: https://the-olympic.world/
Email: vfcup.helpdesk@gmail.com

VF CUP International Mental Arithmetic Olympiad is organised by VF Private Education LTD, Cyprus.