logo
NHL all-time record scorer Ovechkin calls for Russian return to global sports

NHL all-time record scorer Ovechkin calls for Russian return to global sports

France 244 days ago
The Washington Capitals ace received a jubilant reception during his first trip home since scoring his 895th goal last April to overtake the previous all-time record held by Canadian ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.
"I hope that in the near future we will be allowed to participate and the guys will be able to take part in Olympiads and world championships to represent their country," the ice hockey superstar told AFP.
Surrounded by swarms of journalists and ecstatic fans, he walked a Moscow high-end street which had been decked out with "Ovechkin 8" hockey jerseys and signs reading "eternal record".
Russians have had little opportunity to celebrate international sporting success over the past three years, kicked out of a host of competitions over the Kremlin's Ukraine offensive.
But Ovechkin's triumph offered them a rare chance to do so.
'That would be epic'
Hundreds of fans lined up for an autograph at an outdoor ice rink, which serves as a football pitch during warm months.
"Ovi, Ovi," the fans chanted Ovechkin's American nickname.
This rink in a typical Moscow suburb is where the 39-year-old left wing striker took the first steps of his illustrious career.
The rink stands out from the grey high-rise apartment blocks surrounding it, after having been carefully renovated by a sponsor, replete with a massive sign reading "eternal record 895" freshly painted on its surface.
Antonina Mikhailova, an IT manager wearing Ovechkin's jersey, told AFP: "Whatever happens in the world, sport has no borders."
"That would be epic, we must do that!" insisted Fyodor Troshin, an amateur hockey player also waiting for Ovechkin, of the prospect of Russian athletes returning to international sport events.
"People like Alexander Ovechkin are bringing Russian sport closer to (international) leagues," the 40-year-old added.
Despite his prowess on the ice, Ovechkin's politics and Russian connections have stoked some controversy, as he has been a prominent supporter of Vladimir Putin's 25-year rule, even after troops were sent to Ukraine.
In a political balancing act, Ovechkin has not denounced Moscow's Ukraine offensive, but he has also carefully veered away from supporting it -- despite knowing such a move would be welcomed by Putin.
"I felt proud of what we achieved, of breaking the record," Ovechkin, who is famously missing a front tooth, told AFP of breaking Gretzky's 26-year mark.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Arsenal off to winning pre-season start in Singapore
Arsenal off to winning pre-season start in Singapore

France 24

time39 minutes ago

  • France 24

Arsenal off to winning pre-season start in Singapore

Manager Mikel Arteta started the match with several regulars, including Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Ben White. Christian Norgaard, a new signing from Brentford, made his first appearance for the Gunners, while fellow arrivals Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi started on the bench. In front of more than 22,800 fans, Arsenal, who finished runner-up in the last three consecutive seasons in the English Premier League, looked the more lively of the two sides in the first half, dominating possession but failing to convert their chances. Arteta then made six changes at the break, with Arrizabalaga and Zubimendi introduced to the Arsenal faithful. Their breakthrough came just seven minutes into the restart, as England international Bukayo Saka latched onto a cross from defender Jakub Kiwior and slotted the ball home into the far corner. Saka, later named Man of the Match, made way for 15-year-old Max Dowman -- a product of the club academy -- who impressed with his confidence and flair. Arsenal continued to press for a second goal, but Milan's substitute goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani denied Mikel Merino's header with a full-stretch save in the 75th minute. He was called into action again seven minutes later, tipping Leandro Trossard's close-range effort over the bar to keep the scoreline in Arsenal's favour. "I'm very happy with the attitude and the domination we had shown throughout the game. But there are always things to improve," Arteta said at the post-match press conference. "I have to find that cohesion within the players, and they have to continue to step up to the next level. But we are heading in a good direction." © 2025 AFP

Italy's Milan wins crash-marred 17th stage of Tour de France
Italy's Milan wins crash-marred 17th stage of Tour de France

France 24

time39 minutes ago

  • France 24

Italy's Milan wins crash-marred 17th stage of Tour de France

Italian Jonathan Milan claimed his second victory in this year's Tour de France when he won a crash-disrupted sprint in the 17th stage on Wednesday. Milan prevailed in a 10-man sprint after the peloton was held up behind a massive crash with just one kilometre to go as riders went down on slippery roads in a rainy finish in southeastern France. Eritrean Biniam Girmay was attended to by race doctors. Tadej Pogacar crossed the finish line safely to retain the overall leader's yellow jersey. "I'm really happy and without words, I have to say. After surviving (the ascent to the Mont Ventoux on Tuesday) I didn't survive alone," said Milan, who holds the green jersey for the points classification. "I survived all this with the help of my teammates. I really have to practice this because without all this I would not be here. Maybe I would have already dropped in one of the climbs (of the day). "So, with the help every single day of my teammates, we achieved this result. Today was a really tough stage ... We controlled it from the beginning, of course, with the help of some other teams. But they helped me also when I dropped. In the first climb, in the second one, they really did a good pace." Frenchmen Quentin Pacher and Mathieu Burgaudeau as well as Jonas Abrahamsen of Norway and Italian Vincenzo Albanese broke away early but stood little chance against the collective power of the sprinters' teams. With the peloton breathing down their necks, Abrahamsen went solo with 11km remaining, only to be reined in 4.3km from the line. Milan was the strongest in the reduced sprint, edging out Jordi Meeus of Belgium and Denmark 's Tobias Lund Andresen, who were second and third respectively. Thursday's 18th stage is a brutal mountain trek between Vif and the Col de la Loze, one of the most feared ascents in the Tour de France.

Udinese keeper Okoye banned for two months after match-fixing probe
Udinese keeper Okoye banned for two months after match-fixing probe

France 24

timean hour ago

  • France 24

Udinese keeper Okoye banned for two months after match-fixing probe

The FIGC National Federal Court, which met on Tuesday to discuss the charge against Nigerian Okoye, "has excluded any involvement of the player in sports offences, after accepting the arguments of his lawyers", Udinese said in a statement. "During the trial, all charges of alleged sporting misconduct were dropped, and the decision to impose a two-month ban was based solely on a violation of the general principle of fairness (Article 4 of the Federal Sports Justice Code). "The club has stated that it is satisfied with the court's conclusion that the player was not involved in the infamous match-fixing theory. The club wishes to reiterate its full support for Okoye, who is awaiting the reasons for the decision. Udinese Calcio reasserts that it is firmly convinced of Maduka's proper conduct." The 25-year-old Nigerian international was alleged to have deliberately collected a booking during his team's Italian league match against Lazio in March 2024. The German-born goalkeeper received a yellow card for time-wasting, after an alleged deal reached with a friend who won 120,000 euros ($140,000) as a result of a bet. The FIGC investigation established that there was no intention to fix the match, which would have been punishable by a four-year fine. However Okoye, who has been with Udinese since 2023, will be suspended from August 18 to October 19. He will therefore miss seven of his team's matches -- six in the league and one in the Coppa Italia. © 2025 AFP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store