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Greenland Athlete Expresses Fear Over Trump’s Territorial Ambitions
Biathlete Ukaleq Slettemark is facing a unique challenge as she prepares for potential qualification for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Beyond the typical pressures of elite competition, the 25-year-old Greenland native is grappling with anxiety stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated statements about wanting to take control of her homeland.
“It’s terrifying,” Slettemark told The Associated Press from Ruhpolding, Germany, where she and her brother Sondre are competing in a biathlon World Cup event. “We are imagining the worst-case scenario and my aunt is having trouble sleeping at night. My mom, yesterday, she broke down at the stadium crying because she’s so afraid.”
The siblings currently compete for Greenland in World Cup events, but Olympic qualification would see them represent Denmark, as Greenland lacks sovereign nation status with its own Olympic committee. Greenland is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark, a key NATO ally.
Trump reiterated his intentions toward Greenland on Wednesday through social media, claiming the U.S. “needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security.” His comments coincided with high-level diplomatic meetings between Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt.
For Slettemark, whose Olympic dreams are within reach, the political situation has created an unwelcome distraction. “While stressing that she is an athlete, not politician,” Slettemark acknowledged the impossibility of ignoring threats to her homeland, noting the extraordinary effort required to maintain focus on training and competition.
“People are talking about maybe they have to leave Greenland because they feel it’s so unsafe,” she revealed. “We are terrified and we are really angry because this is not how you talk to another country, this is not how you talk to your allies. We feel so disrespected and very scared.”
Slettemark comes from a family deeply rooted in biathlon—a demanding winter sport that combines cross-country skiing with precision rifle shooting. Her father, Øystein Slettemark, competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics, while her mother, Uiloq, founded the Greenland Biathlon Federation. Born in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, Ukaleq herself represented Denmark at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The geopolitical tension has followed Slettemark throughout the competition circuit, with fellow athletes frequently inquiring about her wellbeing. Despite the circumstances, she maintains positive relationships with American competitors. “I’m very good friends with the U.S. athletes,” she said. “I think they’re all really nice people.”
Slettemark drew parallels between Trump’s territorial ambitions and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine, expressing hope that American citizens would pressure Congress to abandon any plans for a Greenland takeover. She noted conversations within the biathlon community suggesting that, similar to Russia’s Olympic ban following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the United States could face similar sporting sanctions if it forcibly annexed Greenland.
“I’ve definitely thought so myself, but we’re not at that stage right now, because nothing has happened yet,” she acknowledged. “But if it were to happen, then I would also agree that that would be the right way to do it.”
The situation highlights the complex intersection of international politics and Olympic sport. While athletes typically strive to separate competition from geopolitical tensions, Slettemark’s experience demonstrates the unavoidable impact when one’s homeland becomes the subject of international power plays.
Slettemark and her brother will learn next week whether they have qualified for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, scheduled for 2026. Meanwhile, the diplomatic discussions regarding Greenland’s status continue to unfold against the backdrop of heightened concerns among Greenland’s population about their future sovereignty and security.
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16 Comments
The biathlete’s anxiety over the threats to her homeland is understandable and concerning. Greenland’s semiautonomous status should be respected, and its people should not have to live in fear of potential outside interference. This is a delicate geopolitical issue that requires a nuanced, diplomatic approach.
I hope the international community can work to find a solution that prioritizes the security and self-determination of the Greenlandic people. Their voices and interests must be at the forefront of any discussions about Greenland’s future.
The threats to Greenland’s sovereignty are deeply troubling. While national security is important, forcibly taking control of a semiautonomous territory would be a grave injustice. The biathlete’s distress over this situation is heartbreaking.
Greenland and its people deserve to have a voice in decisions that affect their future. I hope the international community takes a firm stance in defending Greenland’s right to self-determination.
The biathlete’s anxiety about the threats to her homeland is deeply troubling. Greenland’s semiautonomous status and the rights of its indigenous people must be respected. This is a delicate geopolitical issue that requires a nuanced approach focused on diplomacy and the protection of human rights.
I hope the international community can work together to find a solution that prioritizes the security and self-determination of the Greenlandic people. Their voices and interests should be the guiding principle in any discussions about Greenland’s future.
The US’s interest in Greenland raises serious concerns about the potential for infringement on the territory’s autonomy and the wellbeing of its people. The biathlete’s anxiety is a powerful testament to the gravity of this situation.
Greenland’s status as a semiautonomous territory must be respected. I hope the international community can work to find a solution that prioritizes the self-determination and security of the Greenlandic people.
This is a complex geopolitical issue with significant implications for the people of Greenland. The biathlete’s fears about the ‘terrifying’ threats to her homeland are understandable and deserve attention. Maintaining Greenland’s autonomy should be a priority.
The biathlete’s emotional distress over this situation is a reminder of the very real human consequences of geopolitical posturing. I hope a peaceful resolution can be found that respects the rights and interests of the Greenlandic people.
The biathlete’s distress over the ‘terrifying’ threats to her homeland is heartbreaking. Greenland’s people deserve to feel safe and secure in their own land, without the looming specter of external interference. This is a concerning situation that demands careful diplomatic attention.
Greenland’s autonomy and the rights of its indigenous population must be protected. I hope the international community can work to find a peaceful resolution that respects the wishes and wellbeing of the Greenlandic people.
It’s concerning to hear about the anxiety the Greenland biathlete is facing due to the US’s interest in her homeland. Her fears about the ‘terrifying’ situation are understandable, given the potential impact on her people and their way of life.
I hope the international community can work to protect Greenland’s autonomy and the rights of its people. Pursuing Olympic dreams should not come with such heavy emotional burdens.
The biathlete’s distress over the ‘terrifying’ threats to Greenland is a powerful reminder of the very real human consequences of geopolitical posturing. Greenland’s autonomy and the rights of its indigenous population must be respected and protected. This is a complex issue that demands careful, diplomatic attention.
I hope the international community can work to find a peaceful resolution that safeguards Greenland’s self-determination and the wellbeing of its people. Their voices and interests should be at the forefront of any discussions about the territory’s future.