Greenland siblings focus on pride at Winter Olympics

Sondre and Ukaleq Slettemark have put political discussion aside to concentrate on representing Greenland and Denmark at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, which begin on Feb. 6.

The brother-and-sister biathlon team of Sondre and Ukaleq Slettemark say they are setting politics to one side to concentrate on representing Greenland at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. They drew wide attention after criticising U.S. President Donald Trump over comments about Greenland, but have shifted the focus to national identity and sporting performance. The pair will compete under the Commonwealth of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands at the Games. They spoke to Reuters from their training base in Obertilliach, Austria, near the Olympic biathlon venues. Key details: - The athletes are siblings and biathletes: Ukaleq Slettemark and her brother Sondre. - They received heightened media attention after criticising U.S. President Donald Trump for his stated interest in Greenland. - The Slettemarks will represent the Commonwealth of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands at the Milano Cortina Games, which open on Feb. 6. - They train in Obertilliach, Austria, close to where the biathlon events will be held. - Their mother, Uiloq, helped establish Greenland’s biathlon federation and their father, Oystein, is also involved; Greenland lacks its own Olympic committee, so they compete as part of Denmark. Summary: The siblings have emphasised pride in Greenland and the connection with Denmark while declining to make a political statement at the Games. They intend to let their results speak, with the Olympic opening on Feb. 6 and biathlon competition at the Antholz-Anterselva arena beginning on Feb. 8.