Half-naked, Siberian swimmers vote for Putin's man

By Natalya Sokhareva

BARNAUL, Russia (Reuters) - Alexander Zelenetsky, like most Russian voters, cast his ballot for Vladimir Putin's chosen successor in a presidential election on Sunday.

But he is one of the few to have voted half-naked.

Zelenetsky and colleagues from the "Polar Bears" swimming club in the Siberian city of Barnaul emerged dripping from an ice-cold river to show their support for Dmitry Medvedev, the first deputy prime minister almost certain to win election.

"Cold water relieves stress and stimulates the brain. So, on a day of such responsibility for the country, we decided to cleanse our minds and bodies," Zelenetsky, his passport tucked into the waist-band of his shorts, told Reuters.

The "Polar Bears" have something else in common with the man almost certain to win election -- Medvedev's surname is derived from the Russian word for bear.

"We voted for Medvedev -- and not because we're the Polar Bears. We like him as a person. He is sporty and in good shape."

Up to 109 million registered voters across Russia are taking part in an election that 42-year-old Medvedev is widely expected to win after being backed by the popular Putin, who must step down after two consecutive four-year terms.

"I've never missed an election in all my life, but there's a unique feel about today," said Lydia Timchinko, the only woman to show up in a bathing costume.