Two hockey fans, Vita Kalniņa and Alexander Kalniņš, stirred interest at the recent Winter Olympics in Milan. They raised a large flag of Greenland during a game between the United States and Denmark. Their intent? To show support for Greenland and Denmark.
Kalniņa and Kalniņš, both Latvian hockey fans living in Germany, wanted to promote unity among Europeans. “It was important for us to hold this flag,” Kalniņš said. They displayed it during warm-ups and cheered when Denmark scored, even though the U.S. eventually won 6-3.
However, officials told them to put down the flag for safety reasons, warning about potential aggressive reactions from American fans. “We complied because we wanted to watch the game,” Kalniņš added, noting that their message had already been seen by many in the arena and on TV.
The status of the Greenland flag at the Olympics is complicated. Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, doesn’t have its own team but still has athletes competing for Denmark, like biathletes Ukaleq and Sondre Slettemark.
In recent weeks, political discussions about Greenland have heated up, especially following remarks by former President Trump about acquiring the territory. This has ignited a sense of national pride in Denmark and support across Europe. Kalniņš expressed concern over aggressive U.S. politics regarding Greenland, emphasizing the importance of European solidarity.
Interestingly, the Danish athletes participating in the tournament say they remain focused on hockey, not politics. Team captain Jesper Jensen Aabo stated, “We just want to win a hockey game.” The players were largely unaware of the flag in the stands but appreciated the support.
Fans from both sides echoed similar sentiments. Danish fan Dennis Petersen emphasized that sports should transcend politics. American fan Rem de Rohan expressed a desire for friendly competition, stating, “Let’s just enjoy the games.”
This situation highlights how sports can connect people, even amid political tensions. As fans cheer for their teams, the hope remains that the spirit of the games can foster unity and understanding across different nations.
For more coverage on the Olympics, visit AP News – Winter Olympics.
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flag of Greenland, Denmark, Alexander Kalniņš, Greenland, kingdom of Denmark, hockey game, European support, Danish team
