Ukaleq Slettemark, a 25-year-old biathlete from Greenland, is experiencing heightened anxiety amid her efforts to qualify for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. She is accustomed to the pressure of competing internationally but is now facing additional stress due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated remarks about wanting to acquire her country.
Speaking from Ruhpolding, Germany, where she and her brother are participating in the biathlon World Cup, Slettemark expressed her fears to The Associated Press. She described the distress her family is experiencing, with her mother breaking down in tears at the stadium and her aunt struggling to sleep at night over the unsettling situation.
Although the Slettemark siblings currently compete for Greenland in the World Cup, if they secure a spot in the Olympics, they will represent Denmark since Greenland lacks its own national Olympic committee. Despite emphasizing her focus on athletics rather than politics, Slettemark acknowledged the gravity of the threats from the U.S., which have made it challenging for her to concentrate on training and competitions.
The ongoing tensions have led to discussions among residents of Greenland about potentially leaving the territory due to safety concerns. Slettemark conveyed a sense of outrage and fear, emphasizing the lack of respect in the U.S.’s approach towards Greenland and its allies.
President Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland, citing national security reasons, as tensions escalate. Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark and a NATO ally, has become a focal point of geopolitical discussions.
Born in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, Slettemark has a biathlon background rooted in her family. Her father competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics, and her mother played a pivotal role in establishing the Greenland Biathlon Federation. Combining cross-country skiing with rifle shooting, biathlon is a sport deeply ingrained in Slettemark’s heritage.
Despite the daily reminders of the U.S. threats, Slettemark maintains positive relationships with American athletes and hopes that public pressure will deter any potential takeover of Greenland. Drawing parallels to Russian aggression in Ukraine, she underscores the importance of international diplomacy and peaceful resolutions.
As discussions on the biathlon circuit echo sentiments of potential consequences if the U.S. were to forcefully acquire Greenland, Slettemark emphasizes the need for a diplomatic approach to prevent such a scenario from materializing.