Only a few Danish immigrants make it to the elite of sport

Only a handful of the 1,156 sportspeople who are part of Team Denmark have a non-western background

According to Berlingske Research, only a few immigrants with non-Western background are among the 1,156 elite sportspeople who make up the prestigious Team Denmark, an organisation that co-operates with 28 sport federations to provide expert support and financing.

Depending on how the figures are calculated (immigrants/immigrants plus those with a immigrant heritage), the sportpeople with a non-Western background account for just 1 or 2 percent of the elite team. 

Gold medal-orientated
Michael Andersen, the president of Team Denmark, acknowledges there are not many immigrants among the 1,156 sportspeople. 

"Integration is not part of our work," he told Berlingske.

He pointed out that the main aim of Team Denmark, which was established by parliament in 1984, is to help the country's best sportspeople become even better at representing Denmark at international championships such as the Olympics.

Only if it pays off
With an annual budget of about 140 million kroner, the organisation's main mission is to develop Danish elite sport in a socially and community-appropriate manner.

However, conceded Andersen, the promise of success plays a major part.

"We select sport disciplines in which we can expect good international results," he said, adding that  there may be potential for more immigrant sportspeople in the future, especially in football, which has received the most support so far.

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