Ukaleq Slettemark, a 25-year-old biathlete from Greenland, is accustomed to the pressure of competing on the global stage as she vies for a spot in the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. However, she is currently experiencing heightened anxiety due to the persistent statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a potential acquisition of her country.
Expressing her distress, Slettemark shared with The Associated Press from Ruhpolding, Germany, where she and her brother, Sondre, are participating in the biathlon World Cup, “It’s terrifying. We are envisioning the worst-case scenario, and my aunt is struggling to sleep at night. Just yesterday, my mom broke down in tears at the stadium out of fear.”
The Slettemark siblings currently represent Greenland in the World Cup. However, if they succeed in qualifying for the Olympics, a decision they will receive next week, they will compete under the Danish flag since Greenland lacks its own independent national Olympic committee.
While emphasizing her role as an athlete rather than a political figure, Slettemark acknowledged the unsettling nature of the U.S. threats. She highlighted the challenges of maintaining focus on training and competitions amidst concerns about the situation unfolding in her homeland.
“People are contemplating the idea of leaving Greenland due to safety concerns. We are truly terrified and deeply upset because this manner of communication is neither respectful nor appropriate among allies. We feel disrespected and extremely anxious,” Slettemark disclosed.
President Trump restated his interest in acquiring Greenland, citing national security reasons in a social media post. This statement preceded a meeting between Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt.
Greenland, a semiautonomous region of Denmark and a NATO ally, remains at the center of the geopolitical discussions involving the U.S. and Denmark. Slettemark, who represented Denmark in the 2022 Winter Olympics, hails from Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Both her parents have deep roots in biathlon, with her father, Øystein Slettemark, competing in the 2010 Winter Olympics and her mother, Uiloq, founding the Greenland Biathlon Federation, a sport that marries cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.
The pervasive U.S. threats have become a constant presence in Slettemark’s daily life, with fellow athletes expressing concern for her well-being. Despite the circumstances, she maintains amicable relationships with U.S. athletes, emphasizing their positive qualities.
Slettemark expressed hope that American citizens will urge Congress to halt the proposed Greenland acquisition, drawing parallels between the situation and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine. She recounted hearing discussions among individuals in the biathlon community suggesting that the U.S. should face Olympic exclusion akin to Russia following the 2022 invasion.
While acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Slettemark emphasized that such actions are currently hypothetical. She indicated her agreement with the sentiment that severe consequences should follow if the U.S. were to forcibly take control of Greenland.