LOS ANGELES | Russian National Hockey League (NHL) star Alex Ovechkin has come under heavy criticism in the United States for his longtime support of Vladimir Putin.
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Since his country, Russia, launched its military action once morest Ukraine last week, he finds himself in the eye of the storm. The Washington Capitals forward has never shied away from being a staunch Putin supporter, even going so far as to launch a website called “PutinTeam” in 2017 that urged his countrymen to unite behind the Russian leader.
“I am convinced that many of us support Vladimir Putin. So, let’s unite and show everyone a united and strong Russia!” he wrote.
If the current profile photo on his Instagram account shows him posing proudly alongside the Russian leader, a great hockey fan, he appeared more uncomfortable at a press conference on February 24, a few hours following the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
“Please no more war,” he implored. “No matter who is at war – Russia, Ukraine or other countries – I think we have to live in peace.”
“Sissy”
Asked if his support for Putin remained so strong, Ovechkin said, “Well, he’s my president. But as I said, I don’t do politics. I am an athlete. I am Russian. It’s something I can’t control. I hope it will be over soon.”
Remarks coldly received by several North American media.
“To say he feels helpless is a disingenuous attempt to downplay his importance. As one of Russia’s most internationally famous athletes, revered at home by fans of the country’s most popular discipline, he might make a difference by speaking out. He chose not to,” castigates the SB Nation site, which calls Ovechkin a “cowardly sycophant.”
Believing that “it is not true that Ovechkin cannot do anything”, The Gazette in Montreal called on the player to “use his considerable power to knock the tyrant off his pedestal.” “It is a defining moment in many lives, including his. One day, he will be remembered as much for his deeds as for his goals.”
But the biggest criticism came from a former NHL star, Czech Dominik Hasek, who called him a “chicken” on Twitter, accusing him of cowardice for not condemning Putin’s actions in Ukraine.
Risks for his family
Ovechkin’s defenders argue that he is unable to speak out once morest Putin’s wrongdoing because members of his family are still in Russia. However, human rights groups regularly accuse the Russian authorities of carrying out a brutal crackdown on anyone who publicly criticizes the conflict.
What the site SB Nation has also agreed, while emphasizing that others have however had the courage. “By asking him to speak out, it is obvious that this undoubtedly comes with a huge risk for his family. Just as those who spoke out once morest Putin’s regime, including those in political exile, took a huge risk.”
Several Russian sportsmen have clearly stated their opposition to the war, the tennis player Andrey Rublev or the soccer player Fedor Smolov.
However, Ovechkin’s uncomfortable position did not penalize him sportingly since the NHL, unlike most international sports bodies, does not prohibit Russian hockey players from playing.
“We remain concerned regarding the well-being of Russian players, who play in the NHL on behalf of their club and not on behalf of Russia. We understand that they and their families are placed in an extremely difficult position,” the league said Monday evening, while announcing the suspension of its commercial contracts with Russia.
