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New York Times: Ukraine's ruthless finisher takes on politics

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July 29, 2012, 4:56 p.m. | Ukraine abroad — by Kyiv Post

Ukraine's striker Andriy Shevchenko shakes hands with head of Ukraine Forward party Natalia Korolevska.
© www.unian.ua

Kyiv Post

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Andriy Shevchenko, first among goal scorers in his part of the world, is leaving soccer to become a politician.

He gave Ukraine a victory over Sweden with two sharp, superbly angled headers in Kiev during the Euro 2012 tournament last month. But those goals — taking him to 48 in 111 national team appearances — were the last of a career that made him one of the best, and richest, strikers of his time.

The mind, as we saw in Kiev, was still sharp. But the body was telling him to go before he deteriorated further still. His back was aching, his thigh was strained. And after he suffered a kick to his knee, not even Shevchenko could lift Ukraine to another victory.

Read the full story here.

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Spectator July 29, 2012, 6:01 p.m.    

Of course a football star should go into politics -
:
1. He’s so used to very large crowds, their applause and adoration – how can he live without?
2. He’s using to quick thinking on his feet, with his feet, what’s the difference.
3. He’s good looking, own hair and no Arsny glasses– since we’ll have to see his face plastered on posters everywhere.
4. And with his new partner he looks even better (hey didn’t we already have the handsome boy/pretty girl couple and it looked so gorgeous when they stood with their heads together.)
5. He’s rich – he can afford it.
6. He made his money honestly – no shady gas deals.
7. He speaks Russian
8. He speaks Ukranian
9. He speaks Italian
10. He’s got such a great name – the journalist should have mentioned Taras.

11. Heck he was so good at football, why shouldn’t he be a great politician as well.
If a star American Footballer announced they were going to run for Congress would this journalist have written such a dumb article?

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Phill M July 29, 2012, 10:56 p.m.    

Hey, keep in mind that America had a former actor as a president (Reagan), a former porn star (and current actor) as a governor (Schwartznegger), a wrestler as a governor (Ventura).... not to mention a few drunks, pot smokers, and others in leadership position... so, a football or basketball player (William Bradely, Kevin Johnson) in the US running for politics.

Of course, the whole reason is the popularity aspect and face recognition. People vote more based on who they know, not what they know about those who they know (because usually, they don't know much).

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Spectator July 30, 2012, 9:35 a.m.    

Yes but at least (most) US journalists gave them a hard time especially Reagan., especially the NYT - (But about Schwratznegger? - no political experience, but a reasonable governor or not?)

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freedom..... July 29, 2012, 7:29 p.m.    

Are Shevchenko's and Klitschko's politics so far apart, that they cannot unite as one??
These individual going with different parties, are just playing into Slimovychs plan; of divide and conquer.

Why can't these two well known 'futur politicians' unite, and together work to get rid of yanuk and his corruption.????

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Spectator July 30, 2012, 9:37 a.m.    

Of course they can't unite. It's nothing to do with politics. They haven't any. They've both running on their names and faces.

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