Israel's prestigious Wolf Prize honors foreign scientists from US, Canada, Sweden and Taiwan

JERUSALEM – Israel's prestigious Wolf Prize this year will honor American, Canadian, Swedish and Taiwanese scientists.

Wolf winners are considered strong contenders for Nobel prizes. In the 35 years the Wolf Foundation has granted the awards, about one out of three laureates in chemistry, physics and medicine have gone on to receive the Nobel.

This year's winners were announced in Tel Aviv on Thursday.

A statement from the foundation says American mathematician Peter Sarnak was honored for "his deep contributions in analysis, number theory, geometrics, and combinatory."

Swedish artist Olafur Eliasson was named for "his integration of arts and science, which evokes personal and universal moments of epiphany."

The eight winners from four countries share $100,000 awards in each of five categories.

President Shimon Peres will award the prizes in May.