Russian Communist Party leader causes stir after wearing Adidas tracksuit jacket to Joseph Stalin’s grave

It was the kind of faux pas that would have made Joseph Stalin turn in his grave.

Russian Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov laid flowers at the Russian dictator’s final resting place on Sunday while wearing an Adidas tracksuit jacket.

Now, we've got nothing against Adidas tracksuit jackets or people who wear them.  

But wearing such a powerful symbol of capitalism and consumerism when you are the head of the Communist Party and are paying your respects to Stalin of all people is, quite frankly, bizarre. 

It’s not entirely clear why Zyuganov decided to team the tracksuit jacket ­with a white collared shirt and black suit pants. 

Were all of his suit jackets at the drycleaners? Did he have a sudden ideological change of heart? Or was it the red color that made him decide to wear the sporty garb?

Apparently it was none of the above.

"I was wearing our team's uniform," Zyuganov was quoted as saying, referring to the Communist Party’s soccer team.

"They buy what is available in stores. I don't have any (advertising) agreements with Adidas."

Riiiiiiiight. That really clears things up. 

This isn’t the first time Zyuganov has worn the Adidas jacket in public. 

At least on this occasion he appeared to be using it for its intended purpose: exercise.

It seems Zyuganov has a collection of zip-up jackets that he likes to wear to formal functions.

But it’s not like he doesn’t own a suit jacket.