Many BEC Members delivered their national championships last week, but European badminton was also present at an international event.
The Arctic Winter Games, a bi-annually held event, were finally back after a break due to COVID-19. The Arctic Games are a high-profile circumpolar sport competition for northern and arctic athletes. The first Games were held in Yellowknife, Canada, in 1970 with 500 participants from Yukon, North West Territories, and Alaska.
Due to COVID-19, the games were cancelled in 2020, and the games in 2022 were postponed to 2023. The event took place in Wood Buffalo, Canada, and welcomed more than 2000 participants, coaches, mission staff, and officials from eight contingents.
Greenland win 19 medals in badminton
Among several other sports, Greenland had badminton players and two umpires for this event. The badminton event was played Monday to Friday with each player playing 3 categories. Greenland, Alberta North, and Nunavut were the top countries again this year.
In the end, Greenland took home 11 gold, five silver, and three bronze medals in the Juvenile and Junior age groups. Anna Arleth and Malik T Petersen have both brought back home 3 gold medals. Each age group has 2 girls and 2 boys but due to bad weather in South Greenland prior to departure, one of the country’s junior boys could not join the rest of the team.
Greenland, an example of sportsmanship
Attending this event is quite a logistical challenge for the delegations. The Greenlandic delegation flew from Kangerlussuaq, a small town in western Greenland, on Friday, directly to Fort McMurray in Canada, a four-hour flight east and with a four-hour time difference to 20-35 degrees sub-zero temperatures.
Another noticeable achievement for Greenland that is worth mentioning is that they were awarded the Hudgson Trophy at the closing ceremony for good sportsmanship. This trophy acknowledges the contingent whose athletes best exemplify the ideals of fair play and team spirit. Team members also receive a distinctive pin in recognition of their accomplishment.
The next edition of the Arctic Winter Games will be held in 2024 in Alaska.