Debate on “Nine Gold Medals” Inspires Students of NHIS
New Hardwick School, Magadi Road, Bengaluru, recently conducted an engaging and thought-provoking debate for the students of Class 9B based on the inspiring poem “Nine Gold Medals.” The activity encouraged students to think critically about sportsmanship, compassion, determination, fairness, and the true meaning of victory.
“True victory is not always about being first; sometimes, it is about helping others reach the finish line.”
The topic of the debate was:
“Is it right to help an athlete in the middle of a national or international race, or should the athlete be allowed to complete the race on their own?”
The class was divided into two teams, with both groups presenting strong and well-reasoned arguments.
The first team supported helping an athlete who has fallen during a race. Their arguments focused on the importance of compassion, humanity, kindness and sportsmanship. They highlighted that helping someone in a difficult situation reflects the values that are often more important than winning a competition. According to the team, true sportsmanship is not only about reaching the finish line first but also about standing by others when they need help.
The second team presented arguments against helping the athlete, emphasizing the importance of respecting the race and the athlete’s hard work. They pointed out that athletes dedicate years to rigorous training and preparation to compete at national and international levels. Allowing an athlete to complete the race independently, they argued, gives them the opportunity to demonstrate their dedication, perseverance and personal effort.
The debate created an excellent platform for students to express their thoughts, listen to different perspectives and develop their communication skills. Both teams participated with enthusiasm, confidence and clarity, making the session highly interactive and meaningful.
The discussion also helped students understand an important message from Nine Gold Medals: winning is not always measured by who finishes first. Sometimes, the greatest victory is shown through kindness, empathy and the willingness to support another person.
At New Hardwick School, Magadi Road, Bengaluru, such classroom activities go beyond textbooks and encourage students to develop critical thinking, public speaking, teamwork, confidence and strong moral values. The debate was a wonderful example of how literature can inspire meaningful discussions and help young learners connect classroom lessons with real-life values.
Key Learning from the Debate
The Class 9B debate encouraged students to reflect on:
The true meaning of sportsmanship
Compassion and humanity in competitive situations
Respect for an athlete’s dedication and hard work
The importance of listening to different viewpoints
Confidence and effective public speaking
The balance between competition and kindness
Poorna Krishnamurthy
Secretary | Academic Excellence Head
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