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Alex Ovechkin: I don’t like to hear what people say about Russia

Alex Ovechkin

This photo taken Jan. 8, 2014 shows Washington Capitals hockey winger, and team captain, Alex Ovechkin during an interview after participating in a team workout at the Kettler Iceplex in Arlington, Va. Ovechkin will be the face of Russia at next month’s Olympics. The three-time NHL MVP will be looking to overcome the disappointment of four years ago, when Russia lost to Canada in the Vancouver quarterfinals. He hopes the home-country pressure will spur his team. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

AP

Alex Ovechkin understands he is perhaps the biggest Russian star of the Sochi Olympics. He also knows that any statements he makes will be scrutinized.

So when asked about misconceptions about Russia, he stood up for his country but also kept an amount of secrecy.

“To be honest with you, I don’t like to hear what the people say about Russia,” Ovechkin told The Associated Press after a recent practice with the Washington Capitals. “Because lots of people say good things, lots of people say bad things.”

Russia gained attention after president Vladimir Putin passed a law banning the promotion of non-traditional sexual relations toward minors in June plus with growing Olympic costs and safety issues.

What hurts him the most?

“Again,” he said with a deep sigh, according to the AP. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

He said that if he expresses an opinion “it’s going to be forever,” will get a lot of attention, and he won’t be able to take it back.

“I’m kind of the guy who supports my country,” he said. “Whatever happened has happened. And there’s nothing I can do, nothing you can do.”

PHT: Ovechkin: Russia’s ‘mission’ is Olympic gold

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