During a hockey match between the United States and Denmark at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, fans showcased a large Greenland flag to symbolize European unity in support of Greenland. This act was led by two Latvian supporters, Vita Kalnina and her husband Alexander Kalniņš, who expressed the importance of representing Europe amid ongoing geopolitical tensions regarding Greenland's status. Kalniņš explained to the Associated Press that they wanted to demonstrate support for Greenland, underscoring a collective European sentiment.

The flag was prominently displayed during warm-ups and at the moment Denmark scored the first goal of the game. However, after the flag was shown, event officials approached the couple and requested that they stop waving the flag, citing safety concerns over the presence of potentially aggressive American fans. The couple adhered to the request but emphasized their intention behind the display, advocating for an inclusive atmosphere of support rather than confrontation.

The context of this event ties back to historical and political tensions surrounding Greenland, particularly with former U.S. President Donald Trump's previous interest in acquiring the territory from Denmark. Both Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected such claims in the past, making this display at the Olympic event a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding national identity and territorial disputes in a global arena such as the Olympics.