Five-ring Circus

Vladimir Putin, Olympic Champion

Startling images of the Russian president’s winter sports triumphs.

Vladimir Putin is a judo superstar. He excels at riding a horse while shirtless. But winter sports are where the Russian president really shines. On Sunday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev Instagrammed a photo of himself on a chairlift with Putin.

But that’s just the start of Putin’s athletic exploits on snow and ice.

Here he is on the slopes:

Vladimir Putin's Gold Medal Sweep of the Sochi Olympics

Photo illustration by Lisa Larson-Walker

Playing hockey:

Vladimir Putin's Gold Medal Sweep of the Sochi Olympics

Photo illustration by Lisa Larson-Walker

On the biathlon range:

Vladimir Putin's Gold Medal Sweep of the Sochi Olympics

Photo illustration by Lisa Larson-Walker

On the skeleton track:

Vladimir Putin's Gold Medal Sweep of the Sochi Olympics

Photo illustration by Lisa Larson-Walker

In the halfpipe:

Vladimir Putin's Gold Medal Sweep of the Sochi Olympics

Photo illustration by Lisa Larson-Walker

On the curling sheet:

Vladimir Putin's Gold Medal Sweep of the Sochi Olympics

Photo illustration by Lisa Larson-Walker

Competing in the one-man, shirtless bobsled:

Vladimir Putin's Gold Medal Sweep of the Sochi Olympics

Photo illustration by Lisa Larson-Walker

Winning gold in figure skating:

Vladimir Putin's Gold Medal Sweep of the Sochi Olympics

Photo illustration by Lisa Larson-Walker

Read the rest of Slate’s coverage of the Sochi Olympics.