“Ovechkin is capable of becoming a politician. His authority would help him in his political endeavors” – State Duma deputy Khamitov

Russian forward and captain of the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin is capable of becoming a politician after completing his sports career, Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sports Amir Khamitov told Match TV.

Ovechkin is a Stanley Cup winner and the best sniper in the history of the NHL regular season.

— Whether Ovechkin should start a political career or not is up to him to decide. There is no rule that athletes must go into politics after finishing their career: you can go, for example, into coaching or business. But what is certain is that his authority would have helped him in his political endeavors. Being a symbol of Russian sports throughout the world, Alexander perfectly understands what a responsibility it is to represent the country and enjoy the trust of the overwhelming majority of his compatriots.

And I am sure that if Ovechkin nevertheless decides to become a politician, he will justify this trust. And it will be easier for the residents of our country to come with problems to that person who has long become “one of their own” for them, whose very name is associated with victories and a sense of pride, Khamitov told Match TV.

Ovechkin is 40 years old, his current contract with Washington runs until the end of the 2025/26 season.