Sondre Slettemark Shines as First Danish Competitor at Winter Olympics
Sondre Slettemark, the talented biathlete from Greenland, proudly represented Denmark at the Winter Olympics this week, leaving his mark on the competitiveness of the Games hosted in the stunning landscapes of northern Italy.
Competing in the men’s individual 20-kilometer event at the renowned Anterselva venue, Slettemark finished 62nd out of 89 participants. Despite hoping for a better placement, he expressed his satisfaction: “I had hoped to be a little closer, but I am satisfied. I’m content just being here. It’s the Olympics, and it was an incredible experience,” he shared with DR 1.
The race required competitors to navigate four shooting rounds—two lying down and two standing. Unfortunately for Slettemark, things didn’t unfold as smoothly as planned. Dreaming of hitting all 20 targets, he settled for a commendable 17 successful shots. His first prone shooting went perfectly, but he encountered difficulties in the standing round, missing twice. After another perfect attempt in the second lying position, he faced a final miss in standing, accruing three penalty minutes—an especially tough setback given his pace on the ski track.
When he initially crossed the finish line, he held the 15th spot, but as stronger competitors followed, he slipped further down the rankings. The day was marked by Norway’s Johan-Olav Botn, who clinched the gold and paid tribute to his late compatriot, Sivert Guttorm Bakken, with a poignant message to the camera: “Sivert—we made it.”
Before the Olympics commenced, Slettemark and Bakken were training together in Lavazé, Italy, where they shared significant moments. The day brought both triumph and remembrance as athletes honored their pasts while pursuing their dreams.
Looking ahead, Slettemark is set to compete again on Friday in a sprint event. Meanwhile, his sister, Ukaleq, along with Danish-Norwegian Anne de Besche, will be racing the 15-kilometer distance on Wednesday. The Olympic spirit, characterized by ambition and camaraderie, shines brightly, and Slettemark is eager to make the most of the opportunity ahead.