Greenlandic Olympic duo pushes Trump into the background

Denmark, Norway, Germany, Poland, Canada and the USA.

Media from these countries are just some of those who have recently approached the sibling pair Ukaleq and Sondre Slettemark ahead of the Winter Olympics in Northern Italy, where they are competing for Denmark.

Not because of their abilities as biathletes, but because they are from Greenland, which is in a turbulent time, when US President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to buy the country.

- We have had about four inquiries from the media a day, and there have been quite a few days with three or four interviews, says Ukaleq Slettemark.

- It has drained some energy. We have talked a lot about Trump and big politics, and now we feel that we have said what needed to be said. We would like to talk about our performance and expectations for the Olympics. That should be the focus now.

Important to defend Greenland

That said, it has been important for the siblings to express their position on Trump and the United States and to articulate their desire to remain under the Commonwealth, when they, as sports figures, have had a platform to do so.

"It has been important for us to defend Greenland and make our position very clear. It has proven to be important to the Americans," says Ukaleq Slettemark, referring to the unreserved no to Trump.

- We feel a kind of duty to use our voice when we have the opportunity, adds Sondre Slettemark.

To avoid disrupting the preparations for the Winter Games too much, they have scheduled all interviews so that they do not interfere with training.

- So physically it hasn't affected us. But of course it's been hard not to think about everything that's happening, so of course it's affected mentally, but right now it's fine. Now the Olympics have to be the focus, he emphasizes.

"A huge idiot"

Therefore, one should not expect the sibling pair to make headlines about Greenland and the United States during the Games.

- We will talk to the press, but without creating wild headlines, says Sondre Slettemark.

They feel that the two have done enough. In an interview with DR, Ukaleq Slettemark, for example, called Trump "a huge idiot."

She also says that she has received media training on several occasions.

"I stand by everything I've said. But it creates headlines and comments," she says, referring to the fact that it's about the Olympics now.

Therefore, you will not see the siblings making a statement during the events, which they have otherwise opened up to other media outlets.

Proud to follow in father's footsteps

- We are not going to do that, states Ukaleq Slettemark, and Sondre adds:

- One of us came to say at one point that we wanted to make a mark, but our biggest mark will be to stand hand in hand with Denmark and to represent the Danish Commonwealth.

The Danish Sports Federation (DIF) has given the couple free rein to say whatever they want in connection with the Games. According to the guidelines, you have to be careful about what you say during the opening and medal ceremonies, but otherwise there is freedom of speech, explains Ukaleq Slettemark.

From now on, however, they prefer to talk about what a Winter Olympics is really about, namely the sporting aspect.

First and foremost, they are proud to follow in the footsteps of their father, Øystein Slettemark, who represented the Kingdom in 2010, but at the same time they have sporting ambitions, even though they know full well that they will not be involved in the medal race.

Rising form

Olympic debutant Sondre Slettemark has, according to his own statement, not hit the same form this season as last, but the arrow is pointing in the right direction.

- My form has been improving in training camp, so I hope to show that I belong at the top, even though it is most likely that I will finish in the second half.

Ukaleq Slettemark basically has an ambition to do better than when she made her Olympic debut four years ago.

- Results-related goals also depend on all competitors, but I have a small goal of qualifying for the pursuit start, and that requires a place in the top 60 in the sprint.

- It is possible for both of us if we hit an optimal day on the skis and hit the target with ten shots out of ten, says Ukaleq Slettemark.