Madam, - I heard recently of children crying at a primary school sports day because they did not win any medals. It brought back memories of the 1970s, when my own two children were at school, and of sports days when so many of the children were disappointed.
There were so many more losers than winners. What will this have done to their self-esteem? How many of them will hate sport for the rest of their lives? Is it really necessary to get the winners to walk up to the table, amid the applause of parents, to receive their medals?
When I was at school myself in the Netherlands in the 1940s our sport days were thoroughly enjoyable even though there were no medals for the winners, nor applause either, as parents were not invited. Nowadays I hear that some schools do invite parents, but every child that participates receives a certificate - and applause!
As adults we may underestimate what competition does to children. Some say competition helps children to deal with the world later in life, but perhaps building their self-esteem and confidence is more important.
As obesity has become such a huge health problem, would it not be better to instil the idea of playing for fun rather then playing to win? - Yours, etc,
ELLY McCREA, Mapas Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin.