|
Ovechkin, a Russian national team forward, made
ice hockey history last month, scoring four goals to become the
first player in a century to claim back-to-back hat-tricks to
open a season as the Capitals routed the Montreal Canadiens 6-1.
"Personal awards and prizes - all this is great, but in hockey,
just as in any business, a team is more important for a
victory," Ovechkin wrote on Instagram on Thursday.
"I have never hidden my attitude towards our president, always
openly supporting him," he added. "I am confident that there are
many of us, supporting Vladimir Putin. So let's unite and show
everyone a united and strong Russia!"
He made no mention of Russia's next presidential election in
March, in which Putin, with public approval ratings in Russia
hovering at above 80 percent, is widely expected to run.
Putin, a 65-year-old former KGB spy, has not said if he will
seek his fourth term as president.
Ovechkin said his movement would be called "Putin Team", an idea
derived from a cliche "Putin's team" used by Western media.
"I liked very much this definition. I am personally ready to be
part of such a team," Ovechkin said.
"It's like that feeling when you put on a jersey of Russia's
national team, knowing that the entire country will be rooting
for you."
Ice hockey is a relatively recent sporting passion for Putin, a
black belt in judo whose other hobbies include mountain skiing,
horse-riding and diving.
Together with former Soviet and Russian hockey players,
ministers and showbiz celebrities, Putin founded an "NHL" of his
own - the Night Hockey League - and he often wins its annual
cups.
Putin is not yet aware of Ovechkin's initiative, TASS news
agency cited a Kremlin spokesman as saying.
(Reporting by Dmitry Solovyov, editing by Ed Osmond)
[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
