Denmark urges IOC to recognize territories of Greenland and Faroe Islands as independent Olympic teams
Summary
Denmark has asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow Greenland and the Faroe Islands, its semi-autonomous territories, to compete as separate Olympic teams under their own flags. The IOC usually only accepts independent countries as new Olympic teams, so this request may be difficult to approve.Key Facts
- Denmark’s parliament sent a letter to the IOC requesting recognition of Greenland and the Faroe Islands as independent Olympic teams.
- Greenland and the Faroe Islands are semi-autonomous territories under Denmark’s sovereignty.
- The last similar request was made about 20 years ago.
- The request follows Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s new government pledge to support Greenland against President Donald Trump’s wish to buy the island.
- The IOC currently recognizes 206 national Olympic committees, some of which are not UN member states.
- Since 1996, the IOC’s policy has been to accept only independent states, like Kosovo and South Sudan.
- Greenland’s athletes competed for Denmark in the recent Winter Olympics.
- The Faroe Islands compete separately in international soccer qualifiers but not in the Olympics.
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