MINSK, 8 April (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko extended greetings to Russian ice hockey player Alexander Ovechkin, the NHL's all-time career goals leader, as he spoke in an interview to the Interstate TV and Radio Company Mir on 8 April, BelTA has learned.
“[Alexander] Ovechkin is a great athlete. He is our guy, a Russian man,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. The president made an emphasis on the fact that the Russian hockey player set a new record abroad, not at home, in Russia. He plays for Washington Capitals in the NHL tournament. Some probably did not like it, because there is enough jealousy of others’ successes among athletes. In general, however, the Russian player’s achievement drew a lot of positive feedback. “Of course, there is jealousy. But look how happy everyone was about it. It is Sasha Ovechkin, a Russian man, who rewrote the NHL record books. He is our pride,” the president said, adding that Ovechkin’s record will be hard to surpass.
“As a keen hockey lover, I can't help but be proud and happy. Well done indeed! I will take this opportunity to congratulate him from the bottom of my heart,” the head of state emphasized. “We are proud of him.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko added that he had been following Alexander Ovechkin's career whenever it was possible, as well as the career of Belarusian hockey player Aliaksei Protas, who is Alexander Ovechkin’s teammate. According to the president, Aliaksei Protas has assisted Ovechkin on many occasions on the ice and was “rooting for him to break the record”.
The conversation also touched upon the recent sporting events, including the historically significant achievement of Russian hockey player Alexander Ovechkin, who broke Wayne Gretzky's record for career goals in the regular championships of the National Hockey League, scoring his 895th goal on 6 April.
“As a keen hockey lover, I can't help but be proud and happy. Well done indeed! I will take this opportunity to congratulate him from the bottom of my heart,” the head of state emphasized. “We are proud of him.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko added that he had been following Alexander Ovechkin's career whenever it was possible, as well as the career of Belarusian hockey player Aliaksei Protas, who is Alexander Ovechkin’s teammate. According to the president, Aliaksei Protas has assisted Ovechkin on many occasions on the ice and was “rooting for him to break the record”.
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