Move Over, Carla: Putin Reportedly Dating 24-Year-Old Gymnast

Sherman Oaks, California

Carla Bruni may have to share the crown of Europe’s sexiest First Lady. The British press is running with reports that 56-year-old Russian president Vladimir Putin has left his wife and is carrying on with 24-year-old Uzbek-born gymnast Alina Kabaeva (pictured). The gymnast, who is also a freshman legislator in the Russian Parliament, is renowned for her “unusual flexibility” (scroll down). Kabaeva has also posed for racy photographs for the Russian editions of Maxim and FHM. Putin denied the reports during a press conference in Sardinia.