I had the same question initially since there was no sign of the interoperability award anywhere on the site. But I guess the interop sub forum under SDI and the Microsoft Interoperability logo at the bottom of the Imagine Cup site could indicate that the award could be there in this year's competition as well :)
Of course, this is just a guess I'm making. I don't think Microsoft would leave those things in unless they were at least considering to keep the award alive :P
I guess you'd just have to wait it out like all of us but I certainly hope both of the awards are retained in IC 09. I'd love to see this year's interop projects and not to mention, may be even take part in the Live award :)