For team Bermuda on day one of the Pan American Debate Championships it was a day of both victory and defeat on day one of the international competition.Bermuda’s affirmative team won yesterday at CedarBridge Academy against Argentina, 3-0.But the second affirmative team lost out 3-0 to Canada, while Bermuda’s opposition lost out 3-0 to Argentina.According to national team coach Gladstone Thompson, the motion was “This house supports term limits for elected officials”.“All three teams are in high spirits as they prepare for competition on Thursday,” said Mr Thompson. “They will engage in two debates, one impromptu and one prepared.”The subject up for debate will be: “This house would send humans to Mars.”Team Bermuda’s debates begin at 10am at CedarBridge Academy.And once again, Mr Thompson extended an open invitation for residents to show their support for Bermuda’s team.Meanwhile, Governor George Fergusson hosted a reception for all the participants at Government House last night.Welcoming the international participants, he said “Bermuda not only enjoys a special relationship with the USA and Canada, but also has a proud history with the Hispanic population, having been discovered by Juan de Bermudez”.Governor Fergusson noted how impressed he was by the students’ oratory abilities. He joked that he hoped the judges for the tournament would not be scoring his remarks.With teams from seven different countries joining together to compete in English and Spanish debates, the week looks set for heated competition on an intellectual level.Tournament convener Marissa Sharpe welcomed the participants at the official opening yesterday, and said the Organising Committee hoped the tournament experience “would not only enhance their debating skills, but also allow them to experience the best of Bermudian hospitality”.Education Minister Nalton Brangman encouraged students to “seize the moment whilst taking the time to meet participants from the other delegations and forge meaningful friendships” during the debates.Vice-president of the Bermuda Debate Society and fundraiser Richard Hillen said: “The championships are the culmination of almost a year of preparation, and we are thrilled to welcome our overseas visitors to join us as we continue to promote this wonderful activity on the Island.“Special mention must be made of our donors and sponsors, without whom the Championships would not have been possible,” he said.“We were incredibly grateful to receive support from the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, Ace, XL, Renaissance Re, Catlin, Validus, the Montpelier Re Foundation, Axis, Appleby, the Department of Youth and Sport, the English Speaking Union, Zurich, Attride-Stirling & Woloniecki, Bermuda Junior Service League, Conyers Dill & Pearman, the Corporation of Hamilton, the CedarBridge Academy Board of Governors, Barritts, and Ironshore.”People interested in watching the debates should arrive at CedarBridge Academy today at 9:45am for the morning debates, and at 2pm for the afternoon debates.The finals are open to the public as well on Sunday at 3.45pm at City Hall in Hamilton.