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Alex Ovechkin and Vladimir Putin go way back. Ru sia's president has longpoliticizedthe NHL star as an icon for pro-Kremlin patriotism, and Ovechkinrepays the support in kind by excelling on the ice inthe country's national pastime, especially on the international stage. In a strong endorsement for Putin, the Capitals captain Thursday intended to start a socialmovement in the name of "a strong and united Ru sia" as the country readies for a presidential election in 2018. MORE: A post shared by Alexander Ovechkin (@aleksandrovechkinofficial) on Nov 2, 2017 at 9:07am PDT The Washington Post from Ru sian to English. Personal achievements and medals all of this great, but in hockey, like with everything, to win its important to have Canaan Smith-njigba Jersey a team. Only a team is capable of changing the course of a game, achieve the impo sible. Lately, in the Western Pre s, Im noticing a comparison to Putins team. And you know, I really liked that comparison. Personally, Im ready to be a member of that team. "I never hid my relationship with our president, always openly supported him. Im certain that there are many of us that support Vladimir Putin. Lets unite and show everyone a strong and united Ru sia. Today, I want to announce a social movement in the name of Putin Team. Be a part of this team to me its a privilege, its like the feeling of when you put on the jersey of the Ru sian team, knowing that the whole country is rooting for you. Ovechkin's me sage comes at a time of heightened tension between his homeland and the United States over the Kremlin's alleged tampering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Ru sia's own presidential election takes place in March, and whilePutin hasn't formally announced his intention to run for re-election,he's expected to seeka second six-year term and retain his office. There's a long history of mutual support between Putin and Ovechkin. It's not uncommon for the president to make public appearances withOvechkin, who lives in Moscow during the NHL offseason. Ovechkinonce claimed to have Putin's private home phone number. When Ovechkin marriedhis longtime girlfriendin July, Putin called to congratulate the couple. Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin joked in August he wouldn't defy the NHL's decision to ban players from the 2018 Winter Olympics because"I am not Ovechkin. Putin doesn't call me." Evgeni Malkin, talking about the po sibility of Olympic participation: "I am not Ovechkin. Putin doesn't call me." Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) Putin has made a point to stage Ru sia'snational hockey program as a vehicle for political gain, expre sing a desire to return the sport to its Soviet Union days when the country wasa perennial powerhouse in international competition. February's Games inPyeongchang will mark the first time in Ovechkin's 13-year NHL career hewon't representRu sia at the Olympics. Whenthe NHL said it wouldn't allow players to participate, he vowed tofight the decision before eventually concedinga day before Capitals training camp. Rennie Stennett Jersey |
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