(DCNF)—A recent report by The Associated Press is drawing attention online for appearing to criticize a Nordic country for having too few non-white athletes on its rosters for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Associated Press (AP) published a piece Monday with the headline, “Europe’s rising diversity is not reflected at the Winter Olympics. Culture plays a big role.” While naming other European countries, the story and its accompanying video, posted Friday to X, focused primarily on Sweden. It prominently featured one Somali immigrant to the country who has a “passion” for snowboarding, yet does not appear to compete in the sport professionally.
“Immigration from Africa and the Middle East is changing the demographics of Europe’s top winter sports countries, but that hasn’t really translated to their largely white rosters heading to the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics,” a female narrator says in AP’s video. “For instance, Team Sweden is almost entirely made up of ethnically Swedish athletes, which is hardly a reflection of the country’s diversity as Sweden has welcomed historic numbers of asylum seekers in recent decades.”
The outlet’s story began with recounting the perspective of Maryan Hashi, a Somali-born woman who took up snowboarding after immigrating to Sweden.
“Maryan Hashi remembers the thoughts running through her mind when she began hitting the ski slopes in northern Sweden. As a Black [sic] woman from Somalia, she felt like an ‘alien,’” AP’s story continues. “A few years later, snowboarding is the 30-year-old student’s big passion and it is helping her integrate into her adopted country’s society better than she could ever have imagined. What she’d love now is to see other migrants experiencing the same joy.”
“My parents made me nervous because they felt scared. They felt maybe I was also out of place, maybe something dangerous, maybe something I don’t belong to, but I proved them wrong,” Hashi says in the video, appearing to reference the time she started to snowboard in Sweden.
“Immigration from Africa and the Middle East has transformed the demographics of Europe in recent decades. And while the growing diversity is reflected in many sports such as soccer … it hasn’t made a dent in winter sports,” AP’s story continues.
It also noted that, during the upcoming Winter Olympics taking place in Northern Italy from Feb. 6 – 22, “Sweden is sending a team made up almost exclusively of ethnically Swedish athletes.” It called New York Rangers star Mika Zibanejad, a member of the 2026 Swedish Olympic men’s ice hockey team, a “rare exception.” Zibanejad was born in Sweden to an ethnically Iranian father and an ethnically Finnish mother.
“The Olympic rosters of France, Germany, Switzerland and other European winter sports nations look a lot like Sweden’s: overwhelmingly white and lacking the immigrant representation seen in their soccer or basketball teams,” AP added.
“Immigrants typically live in major urban areas away from skiing hubs in the mountains and are in less privileged economic positions,” the narrator of AP’s video continues. “Participating in winter sports can be very expensive. While some countries like Sweden offer programs to young children that give them access to free ski equipment and the slopes, experts also believe that more needs to be done by winter sports to improve accessibility, specifically for immigrants and underserved communities.”
A Trump administration State Department official called out the outlet in an X reply to the video.
“The AP is concerned that there are too few Somalis snowboarding for the Swedish Olympic team,” Sarah Rogers, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, wrote Saturday on the platform. “Every time you think the media has evolved to be more sophisticated and serious since the 2012-2020 era, you get an item like this.”
“Wait til you guys find out about the racial demographics in the NBA or on NFL defenses,” conservative activist Robby Starbuck, known for his opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in corporate America, wrote in an X reply to AP.
NBA and NFL players — specifically on the defensive side of the ball — are predominantly African American, despite the fact that only about 14% of the U.S. population is black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
About 73% of Sweden’s population claims an ethnically Swedish background, Statistics Sweden, an agency of the European country’s Ministry of Finance, reports, citing 2022 data. Less than one percent of Sweden’s population is of Somali descent.
As of Sunday afternoon, both Rogers’s and Starbuck’s replies to AP on X have received significantly more “likes” than the video.
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.