Why Are Parents Divided Over Elementary School Sports Day Results? A Look at Student Reactions

After a string of parents’ complaints prompted some schools to record sports-day results as ties, a video that captures elementary-school students’ reactions at an event has gone viral.

On May 4, the YouTube channel ‘Event MC Yeon Company’ posted a clip titled “Differences in Kids’ Reactions to the Blue vs. White Result Announcement at an Elementary School Sports Day.”

The video shows the event emcee announcing results to the whole student body. “I will announce the results now,” he says. “The White Team and the Blue Team are co-champions.” The announcement was followed by a noticeably subdued response from the crowd.

The emcee then asks, “You don’t like that, do you?” The students respond, “Yes.” He follows up: “Shall we split the win and loss? Is that okay? We’ll be strict about it,” and checks that the students agree.

When the students say yes, he declares: “Today’s winning team is… congratulations, the Blue Team.” Blue Team students erupt in cheers.

He asks the audience to give the White Team a warm round of encouragement and congratulations; the students oblige with applause. He also asks the Blue Team to applaud the White Team to show appreciation and say thank you, and both sides clap for one another.

The video spread rapidly across online communities and social media. Commenters wrote things like, “This is how it should be, you foolish adults,” “Are the adults who said ‘don’t make my kid feel defeated’ watching this?” “Kids should learn how to lose and how to win,” and “This is what makes a sports day fun.”