Greenland Athletes Send Powerful Message at Milano Cortina Games Amid Trump's Interest
In a striking display of national pride and resilience, Greenland's athletes competing at the Milano Cortina Games are sending a positive message about the island's youth and the widespread support of its people. This comes amid ongoing interest from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has expressed desires to acquire Greenland for national security reasons. The island's culture minister, Nivi Olsen, emphasized this sentiment on Wednesday while watching the competitions in Anterselva, Italy.
Biathlon Siblings Represent Greenland with Pride
The spotlight shone on the Slettemark siblings, who have been representing Greenland in biathlon events. On Tuesday, Sondre Slettemark finished 62nd in the men's 20 km individual biathlon race. The following day, his older sister, Ukaleq Slettemark, competed in the women's 15 km biathlon, with Minister Olsen proudly watching from the grandstand.
After presenting Ukaleq with the Greenland flag, Olsen told Reuters, "It means a lot when everyone is supporting us. It's the way to show Trump that we're not standing alone, that the whole world is standing with us. And I think it's very important to show him that we are people who are respected." She added, "It's wonderful, I'm so proud. I'm so happy to be here to support her and her brother."
Political Context and Olympic Representation
Trump has argued that the United States needs Greenland for national security purposes, though he has backed away from earlier threats to seize the island by force and withdrawn proposed tariffs on countries opposing annexation. Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark and does not have its own Olympic committee. Consequently, the Slettemarks compete under the Danish flag. However, the presence of Minister Olsen and her entourage, along with visible Greenlandic flags, underscored strong support for the athletes.
Enthusiastic Crowd and Athlete Performance
The biathlon-mad crowd at the Antholz-Anterselva Biathlon Arena erupted in cheers as Ukaleq Slettemark impressively hit her first 15 targets in a row. She missed only one of her 20 shots, ultimately finishing 52nd out of 90 starters. Reflecting on the experience, Ukaleq told Reuters with a laugh, "I mean, we probably have the biggest percentage of the population represented here at the stands!" She continued, "It's amazing. Honestly, it's not that often that people come all the way to watch but I just feel so supported while I'm here and seeing the Greenlandic flags on the stadium is it's incredible."
Future Prospects and Confidence
While both siblings excel on the shooting range, they often face challenges in the skiing segments of the biathlon. Despite this, Ukaleq Slettemark remains optimistic about her potential in future competitions. She stated, "I mean, if I can keep having this confidence into the next sprint, then yeah. I'm on a high now. So I will try to take that into the next competitions." This determination highlights the athletes' commitment to improving and representing Greenland on the international stage.
The participation of Greenland's athletes at the Milano Cortina Games not only showcases their sporting talents but also serves as a symbolic gesture of unity and resistance against external political pressures. The support from fans and officials alike reinforces the island's identity and the respect it commands globally.
