Alexander Ovechkin, the famous hockey player and member of the Washington Capitals, supported the ruling party 'United Russia' ahead of the Russian parliamentary elections taking place from September 18 to 20. Ovechkin, who spent the summer in his hometown, contributed to the election campaign by releasing a video in support of this party.
Ovechkin's Support for Vladimir Putin
In this video, which has been widely shared on social media, Ovechkin is seen in the third row of a group of supporters behind Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister. The video has faced significant criticism, including from Ukrainian athlete Volodymyr Horskoy, who was sidelined from the 2026 Olympics for wearing a hat featuring images of athletes killed in the Ukraine war.
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Ovechkin has previously made his support for Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, clear. He posted a photo with Putin on his Instagram and announced in 2017 the formation of a group called 'Team Putin' to support Putin in the 2018 presidential elections. Ovechkin stated at that time: "I have never hidden my feelings about our president and have always supported him."
Political and Sports Consequences of Ovechkin's Support
Ovechkin's support for Putin comes at a time when the Ukraine war and Russia's invasion of the country in 2022 have sparked significant criticism and prompted many athletes to react. In response to a question about supporting Putin, he said: "He is my president, but I am not in politics; I am an athlete." He also spoke about the need for peace but refrained from criticizing Moscow's military actions.
Ovechkin has now returned to training, focusing on the new season of the National Hockey League (NHL) and preparing for the Washington Capitals' training camp in Northern Virginia. Approaching 41 years old, he is seeking his second championship in the Stanley Cup and appears satisfied with his performance from the previous season.
Despite questions about Ovechkin's political future, he is recognized as one of the greatest players in hockey history. He scored 32 goals last season, and only two other players have managed to score more than him after turning 40. Ovechkin also believes that the Capitals can compete for the Stanley Cup championship.
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