Slettemark is half-Greenlandic and half-Norwegian. She is the daughter of Norwegian biathlete Øystein Slettemark and Greenlandic biathlete Uiloq Slettemark, and has lived in both Norway and Greenland.
The 24-year-old is currently in Ruhpolding, representing Greenland in the World Cup.
In 2022, she competed for Denmark at the Beijing Olympics, as Greenland is not an independent nation recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This year, the goal is the Olympics in Milan and Cortina.
“Burst into tears”
US President Donald Trump has long spoken about Greenland and has expressed a desire to buy the island. He has repeatedly refused to rule out the use of military force.
In response, Denmark has announced that it will step up its military presence in Greenland.
"It's scary. We imagine the worst, and my aunt has trouble sleeping at night. My mother burst into tears at the stadium yesterday because she's so scared," says Slettemark.
“Afraid and angry”
Slettemark emphasizes that she is an athlete, not a politician, but that the American threats are impossible to ignore. The concern also affects training, she says.
"People are talking about possibly having to leave Greenland because they feel it's so unsafe. We are scared and very angry because this is not the way to talk to another country. We feel treated without respect."
