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Alex Ovechkin Voices Strong Support For Vladimir Putin

Capitals' Ovechkin waits for a face off against the Rangers during second period action in Game 6 of their NHL Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference Quarterfinal hockey game in New York
Jena Greene Reporter
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Washington Nationals captain Alex Ovechkin has joined the ranks of athletes to get involved in politics by posting a message of support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Instagram post, accompanying a photo of him with Putin, was entirely in Russian, but in English it reads, “Personal achievements and medals — all of this great, but in hockey, like with everything, to win it’s important to have a team.”

“Only a team is capable of changing the course of a game, achieve the impossible,” Ovechkin wrote. “Lately, in the Western press, I’m noticing a comparison to Putin’s team. And you know, I really liked that comparison. Personally, I’m ready to be a member of that team. I never hid my relationship with our president, always openly supported him. I’m certain that there are many of us that support Vladimir Putin. Let’s unite and show everyone a strong and united Russia. Today, I want to announce a social movement in the name of Putin Team. Be a part of this team — to me it’s a privilege, it’s like the feeling of when you put on the jersey of the Russian team, knowing that the whole country is rooting for you. #PutinTeam.”

Личные награды и призы – все это здорово, но в хоккее, как и в любом деле, для победы важнее команда. Только команда способна переломить ход игры, сделать невозможное. В последнее время в западной прессе я встречаю сочетание Putin’s team, то есть команда Путина. И знаете, мне очень понравилось это определение. Лично я готов быть частью такой команды. Я никогда не скрывал своего отношения к нашему Президенту, всегда открыто его поддерживая. Я уверен, что нас, поддерживающих Владимира Путина, много! Так давайте объединимся и покажем всем сильную и сплоченную Россию! Сегодня я хочу объявить о том, что создаю общественное движение под названием Putin Team. Быть частью такой команды – для меня гордость, это похоже на ощущение, когда ты надеваешь майку сборной России, зная, что за тебя болеет вся страна. #putinteam

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Given alleged Russian interference in last year’s presidential election, this move isn’t going unnoticed.

Even the Kremlin had something to say.

While Putin hasn’t officially declared he’s running for re-election next year, I think it’s a pretty fair assessment to say he will. He’s up against some pretty interesting competition, with the Russian equivalent of Paris Hilton tossing her hat into the ring.

Tender is the Night …) Total look by @yanaraskovalova

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Ksenia Sobchak is a 35-year-old pop star who hosts the popular Russian reality TV show Dom 2. With 5.3 million followers on Instagram, she seems to be Putin’s most notable competition. But since Putin’s been in office for 18 years, it would likely be an uphill battle.