According to persistent rumors, the Russian RG great Alina Kabaeva, who won the all-around gold in Athens in 2004, had a long love affair with Vladimir Putin, between his orca-hunting trips or whatever. There were press reports, quickly denied, that they were engaged. She allegedly bore his love child. Now she’s a member of the Russian parliament, serving since 2007. The story is sad, hard to interpret, and kind of badass, and maybe a little inspiring. Like everything related to RG.
