Minnesota athletes enter the Winter Olympics with concerns about turmoil at home
By MARTHA BELLISLE and DAVE CAMPBELL
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – As excitement builds and focus sharpens on preparations for the Winter Olympics, biathlete and Minnesota native Luci Anderson has been distracted by thoughts of home at times.
One day last week, while Anderson was watching in Italy, his family members marched among thousands of people in downtown Minneapolis protesting the immigration attacks that have devastated the city.
Anderson said he strives to keep the sport on the level.
“It’s hard to be here feeling like I’m doing something that doesn’t matter,” Anderson, 25, said in a video interview with The Associated Press. “It’s important, but in the grand scheme of things it’s like, ‘Wow, my people back home are fighting for human rights, I’m just here skiing.’ It’s weird trying to chase my dreams but I also want to support the people back home fighting for what’s right.”
The US Olympic team in Italy counts 26 athletes from Minnesota, trailing only Colorado (32) by state. About a dozen others may call Minnesota home now or compete and train there in sports like wrestling or hockey.
Many of them came to the Winter Games with mixed feelings: excited about competing in the Olympics but worried about the state of their country.
Alpine ski star Lindsey Vonn, who grew up in Minnesota, said during a news conference Tuesday that her heart is heavy for everyone at home.
“I think the best thing I can do is do what I said, stand up and be positive and show the world what America is, who we are as a people, because we are more than what is happening right now,” she said. “The best thing I can do is represent us well. And it’s an honor to be here. I don’t take that for granted. I always do my best to make our country proud, and I hope I can do that in these games.”
President Donald Trump has promised to deport large numbers of undocumented immigrants, sending law enforcement officials to cities like Minneapolis as part of the campaign. It was one of the promises of his second term in office. But last month, two fatal shootings of US civilian officials sparked a major backlash against fracking — including in Minnesota itself.
Lee Stecklein, who is one of five nationals on the women’s hockey team, said she hopes to “represent Minnesota well” at the Games.
“The world is watching, not only here. They will be watching us at the Olympics, and it’s a good time to shine a light on some of the things that are happening here,” he said.
Stecklein spoke after a recent workout in St. Paul and the Minnesota Frost, a Professional Women’s Hockey League team that counts three of the other four Minnesotans on the US Olympic team: Taylor Heise, Kelly Pannek and Grace Zumwinkle.
The Frost played a home game a day after Alex Pretti was fatally shot in Minneapolis and emotions on the field were high.
“To represent our country, to represent our country, we do it at a sports event, but there are many people who do it every day, who do it with kindness and humility and selflessness and with love and care for their neighbor,” said Pannek.
Jessie Diggins, the world’s number one skier, grew up in the Twin Cities metro area. He recently wrote on social media that how difficult it is to be away from this chaos and how determined he will be to respect the people of his province.
“I’m running for Americans who stand for love, acceptance, compassion, honesty and respect for others. I don’t stand for hate or violence or racism,” Diggins said.
His cross country teammate, Zak Ketterson, expressed that pride in calling the Twin Cities his home.
“Despite the recent upheavals and sad events in this city, I know it doesn’t reflect the kindness and love of the people who live here,” Ketterson said on Instagram.
Biathlete Margie Freed, also from Minneapolis, told the AP in a video interview from Italy that she was inspired by the people who are showing opposition to the immigration crackdown.
“Seeing all the people together, whether it’s a small vigil or driving someone to where they need to go, is really exciting and shows that there is a lot of love,” said Freed.
Bellisle reported from Seattle.
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