As a patriotic second-generation Ukrainian and a diehard hockey fanatic, I can neither value, nor respect, nor be amazed at Alexander Ovechkin’s achievements on the ice as the 39-year-old breaks Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career record of 894 goals, a record considered untouchable for the longest time.
For me, it is absolutely impossible to differentiate between Ovechkin the hockey player and Ovechkin the political ambassador. I cannot and will not celebrate the Alexander Ovechkin, who for over 10 years has publicly positioned himself as a firm supporter of the genocidal Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin, and his policies – even advocating a movement on his behalf in 2017.
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It is not at all possible for me to care about this historical hockey accomplishment realized in the 2024-25 season. The remarkable feat will be well publicized and documented, but it will neither be glamorized nor idealized – at least not by me. In my eyes, a dark cloud hovers over all of it.
Ovechkin’s profile photo posing with Putin on his official Instagram account is part of the problem. The fact Ovechkin was forced to utter words conveying a hope for peace (“Please, no more war.”) at a press conference soon after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, which provided some people a way of separating the player’s political and social beliefs from his performance on NHL rinks, is part of the problem.
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Creating Putin Team in 2017 as a deliberate social movement in partnership with Russia’s presidential election of 2018 is definitely part of the problem. Voicing support for the Kremlin’s invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014 while posting a photo on social media in which Ovechkin held a sign stating: “#SAVE CHILDREN FROM FASCISM” is also part of the problem.
When asked about his politics in 2017, Ovechkin overtly described his actions as a show of support for Russia. His reasoning was it was his native land, that his parents live there along with all of his friends. He compared himself to normal citizens from different countries, claiming they all support their president out of loyalty to one’s homeland.
Ovechkin at one time claimed the Putin Team was his idea and the group was non-political in nature. A Russian financial publication reported that a Kremlin-backed public relations firm was behind the organization’s creation.
Alex Ovechkin chased history, caught and surpassed an icon in the person of Wayne Gretzky, who happens to be of Ukrainian heritage. This could and should be a glorious fulfilled journey for hockey fans and followers of all sports to celebrate. Although, maybe not. One must stop and ask if this particular journey is really worthy of great admiration.
Fans should not cheer for Alex Ovechkin and he certainly should not be held in esteem. Wayne Gretzky is known as one of the classiest of all NHL players. Alexander Ovechkin is a coward who supports a murderous warmonger who is putting all humanity at risk.
There is a premise that sports do not belong in politics. Alex Ovechkin has put himself into politics, disproving that premise.
Ovechkin’s support of Putin and his war on Ukraine has long deserved attention and punitive action from the National Hockey League.
Hockey player Ovechkin is Ovechkin the man. Goal scoring Ovechkin is Ovechkin the wholehearted Putin supporter.
The “Great 8” is not a hero! In fact, he is the “Not-So-Great 8.”
The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post.
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