Despite Alina Kabayeva's average athletic record, Russian President Vladimir Putin chose his rumored mistress as one of the final torchbearers at the Opening Ceremonies of the Sochi Olympics.
The controversial inclusion of Kabayeva, who stood alongside the likes of Maria Sharapova, wrestler Aleksander Karelin, hockey goalie Vladislav Tretiak at the event, was slammed by commentators, Radar Online reported.
One BBC commentator said that even though Kabayeva was very talented as a rhythmic gymnast, and in the company of Russian Olympic greats, she was there but probably not in the top six.
Kabayeva, who managed to grace the cover of Russian Vogue's in 2010 thanks to her "connections", has always denied reports of her affair with married Putin.
