"They don't fly the flag of Greenland at the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee only recognises independent sovereign states, and, as all the world, even the most distant corners of the US, now knows, Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. But the flag, which is known as the Erfalasorput, was there in the grandstands at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena all the same, even if it wasn't flying from rooftops above it."
"It was being waved by all the Danish fans who wanted to show their support for the only two Greenlandic athletes competing here at Milano Cortina. Their names are Ukaleq Slettemark and Sondre Slettemark, brother and sister, and both biathletes. They were born in Nuuk, and raised between Greenland and Norway where their parents, who are also biathletes, took them to learn the sport when they were children."
"There aren't many famous people from Greenland, Ukaleq explains, in what is perhaps the 20th interview she has had to do after she finished 52nd in the women's 15km event. So of course, if there's only one Greenlandic person everyone knows, I'm happy to defend my country and show people who we are and where we are on the map, she said."
The International Olympic Committee recognises only sovereign states, so Greenland cannot have a separate Olympic flag, yet the Erfalasorput was waved by Danish fans at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena. Two Greenlandic biathletes, siblings Ukaleq and Sondre Slettemark, were born in Nuuk and raised between Greenland and Norway, training with biathlete parents. Media attention has focused on them during Milano Cortina, and Ukaleq finished 52nd in the women's 15km. A small group of six Greenlanders, including minister Nivi Olsen, cheered them. Many in Nuuk live with fear and uncertainty caused by Donald Trump's plans for the island, making the siblings' participation symbolic.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]