Russian President Vladimir Putin calls Alex Ovechkin's record-setting goal a reason for Russia to celebrate
The feat — and the comments from the Kremlin — have put a fresh spotlight on Ovechkin's past support for Putin and on the hockey star's stance on the war in Ukraine.
Ovechkin, who has played for the Capitals since 2005, has lived in the United States for the past two decades. But his Instagram profile photo shows him with Putin, and in 2017, he started a social media movement called #PutinTeam, months before Russia's elections.
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The hockey star also raised eyebrows in 2022 when he failed to issue an outright condemnation of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. When asked about it at a news conference, Ovechkin said, 'Please, no more war.' In response to a question about whether he still supported Putin, Ovechkin said, 'He's my president,' but added: 'I am not in politics. I'm an athlete.'
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Volume UP to hear Alex Ovechkin's reaction to his record-breaking goal. 🔊
— NHL (@NHL)
In his postgame remarks Sunday, Ovechkin celebrated the achievement with a flurry of gratitude for his fellow players — and said, 'Russia, we did it!'
On Monday, Russian state television celebrated the athlete as 'our pride, a Russian hockey player who made history,' drawing 'admiration on both sides of the Atlantic.'
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Pro-Putin pundits were quick to seize on Ovechkin's achievements after the record-setting goal.
'Ovechkin has showed many times he is not afraid and not ashamed of being Russian, even when Russians have been bullied for being Russian,' Sergei Markov, a political scientist with links to the Kremlin, wrote on social media. 'This is another thing that everyone in Russia is grateful to Ovechkin for, as well as the respect he has won in the world — not just for the hockey.'
Ovechkin has not competed for Russia internationally since 2019, and the
The war has been a contentious issue in international sports, with Russian athletes coming under pressure to condemn the war.
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Boston Globe
32 minutes ago
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A different kind of D-Day, laden with anxiety among old allies
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Yahoo
35 minutes ago
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Which celebrity kids with a Florida tie graduated class of 2025? List of nepo baby graduates
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Kai Trump shares her grandfather's love of golf. She plays competitively with The Benjamin School's girls' team and in August 2024, announced her commitment to stay in Florida for college and play golf at the University of Miami after she graduates in class of 2026. 'I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Miami,' Kai wrote in an August 18, 2024, Instagram post. 'I would like to thank my mom, Vanessa, and my dad, Don, for always supporting me through my journey. I would also like to thank my great team for getting me to this point. I would like to thank my grandpa for giving me access to great courses and tremendous support… I am super excited to be a cane and represent the University of Miami. Gooo Canes!' Charlie Axel Woods, son of Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren and younger brother of Sam Alexis Woods, is a rising junior at the Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Born Feb. 8, 2009, in Florida, Charlie Woods helped his varsity golf team win a state title when he was a freshman. Like his father, Charlie Woods is making a name for himself in golf. He's projected to graduate in the class of 2027. Contributing: Lianna Norman, USA TODAY Network Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Celebrity children graduations: Which stars celebrated class of 2025?
Politico
an hour ago
- Politico
Trump administration to pay nearly $5M in wrongful death lawsuit of Jan. 6 rioter shot by police
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