Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Mar 20/02) - Separated by the Davis Strait and two hours, Iqaluit and Nuuk, Greenland share more than just the 2002 Arctic Winter Games.

Stinne Jacobsen sings the official theme song for the 2002 Arctic Winter Games during the opening ceremonies in Nuuk on Sunday. - Robert Dall/NNSL photo

By all accounts, they are alive with athletes, officials and spectators thrilled by friendly competition and circumpolar rivalry.

For the first time ever, the games are split between two host cities. Nuuk has 10 sports spread among five venues while athletes compete in nine sports at eight venues in Iqaluit.

Yellowknife athlete Orhan Memedovski was overwhelmed with the reception from Iqaluit residents and other athletes from around the Northern hemisphere.

"It's different but unique," he said.

"There isn't a mall to go to and no trees, but the people are friendly. It's a friendly atmosphere."

In the athletes' village, competitors from Canada, Russia, the U.S. and Greenland mix and mingle.

"It's a lot of athletes in one place, but it's a chance to meet a lot of people," said Memedovski.

Nuuk has the 1,000 athletes and officials billeted in city schools. They eat at a cafeteria set up for participants.

It's a modern city, full of fast food restaurants and a range of shops. Most venues are within walking distance of downtown, although the cross-country ski and alpine sports venues are a five minute bus ride away. The temperature hasn't dropped below -10 C for much of the week.

There, too, people are friendly and go out of their way to help athletes and visitors find their way around.

Although many Nuuk residents speak English, Greenlandic and Danish more common.

In both cities no one seems to be concerned that splitting the competition has watered down the excitement.

Crowds are reported to be large at most venues in Iqaluit, while in Nuuk, volleyball, soccer and Dene games seem to be the sports of choice.