{"id":2107,"date":"2026-05-18T16:13:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T16:13:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=2107"},"modified":"2026-05-18T16:13:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T16:13:04","slug":"putins-olympian-mistress-brings-cake-to-own-surprise-birthday-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=2107","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Putin&#8217;s Olympian mistress&#8217; brings cake to own surprise birthday party"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_e189fa\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Two time gold medal winner and rumoured lover of Vladimir Putin was photographed bringing her own cake to a surprise party just days after being accused of having too much influence over the Olympic selection process<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36434416\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The pair meeting in 2004\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36434416.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36434416.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36434416.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36434416.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"The pair meeting in 2004\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The pair meeting in 2004<cite aria-label=\"Image: Kommersant via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Kommersant via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The former Russian Olympian turned politician and rumoured Putin lover Alina Kabaeva was seen celebrating her birthday just days after being mired by controversy over her personal influence on the selection process of the Russian rhythmic gymnastics team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Kabaeva made the<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/news\/latest-news\/putins-sex-mad-bendy-olympian-37061099\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\"> interesting decision<\/a> of bringing her own cake to Russia&#8217;s Nebesnaya Gratsiya Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, complete with fresh raspberries much to the delight of the young athletes training there, according to Russian media outlet Pulsfid.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">One <a aria-label=\"gymnastLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/news\/latest-news\/putins-sex-mad-bendy-olympian-37061099\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">gymnast<\/a> reportedly told the media site: &#8220;We thought she&#8217;d forget about us, but the cake was huge!&#8221;, while a video posted on the gymnastic academy&#8217;s official website described Kabaeva as &#8220;the symbol of an entire era&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The birthday stunt comes amid a rumbling controversy regarding Kabaeva&#8217;s time as Russia&#8217;s rhythmic gymnastic chief.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37172094\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37172094\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.6\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"young gymnasts\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37172094.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/690007129_17967362388066969_8525709812953742385_n.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37172094.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/690007129_17967362388066969_8525709812953742385_n.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37172094.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/690007129_17967362388066969_8525709812953742385_n.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37172094.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/690007129_17967362388066969_8525709812953742385_n.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Alina has her own gymnastic shool\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Alina has her own gymnastic shool<cite aria-label=\"Image: INSTAGRAM\/@nebesnayagracia.official\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: INSTAGRAM\/@nebesnayagracia.official)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Independent Russian outlet Agency reported that coaches, parents and figures inside the gymnastics world were left furious by Kabaeva&#8217;s selection process, with some claiming the chosen team \u201cdoes not reflect the gymnasts\u2019 actual skill level or competition results\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Others suggested nobody inside <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/latest\/russia\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Russia<\/a> would dare challenge her because of her perceived proximity to Putin and the Kremlin elite.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37172096\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37172096\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.82\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Alina Kabaeva\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37172096.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/625146415_18097130941935545_5220103468967451216_n.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37172096.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/625146415_18097130941935545_5220103468967451216_n.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37172096.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/625146415_18097130941935545_5220103468967451216_n.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37172096.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/625146415_18097130941935545_5220103468967451216_n.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Alina is a two time Olympic gold medal winner, and now acts as Russia's rhythmic gymnastic head coach\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Alina is a two time Olympic gold medal winner, and now acts as Russia&#8217;s rhythmic gymnastic head coach<cite aria-label=\"Image: INSTAGRAM\/@nebesnayagracia.official\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: INSTAGRAM\/@nebesnayagracia.official)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The scandal comes as Russian athletes attempt to return to international competition after widespread bans following Moscow\u2019s invasion of <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/latest\/ukraine\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Ukraine<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In a statement, the rhythmic gymnastics executive committee (EC), said: &#8220;The EC has decided to lift all restrictions applicable to Russian and Belarusian athletes since February 2022, with immediate effect&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Kabaev has long been a close ally and supporter of <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/latest\/vladimir-putin\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Vladimir Putin<\/a>, with rumours long swirling that the pair are more than friends, with some reports suggesting that they may even have had children together.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36434415\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36434415\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.17\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Alina listening at a parliament session in Moscow\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36434415.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_AP081121077358.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36434415.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/1_AP081121077358.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36434415.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/1_AP081121077358.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36434415.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_AP081121077358.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Alina is a close ally of Putin, but many have suggested their relationship may go further than that\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Alina is a close ally of Putin, but many have suggested their relationship may go further than that<cite aria-label=\"Image: ASSOCIATED PRESS\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: ASSOCIATED PRESS)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Alina is one of Russia\u2019s most decorated gymnasts and one of only three in history to win all the major titles: the Olympics, World Championships, European Championships, the World Cup Final and the Grand Prix Final.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Since retiring from the sport, she earned two degrees, spent seven years as a member of the State Duma and also worked as a TV presenter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em><em><em>For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our <\/em><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><em>newsletters<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Two time gold medal winner and rumoured lover of Vladimir Putin was photographed bringing her&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2108,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2107","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team.jpg",1200,675,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team-768x432.jpg",640,360,true],"large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team-1024x576.jpg",640,360,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team.jpg",1200,675,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team.jpg",1200,675,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team-1115x675.jpg",1115,675,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team-800x500.jpg",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team-540x340.jpg",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_President-Vladimir-Putin-meets-2004-Russian-Olympic-Team-400x250.jpg",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?author=1"},"category_info":"<a 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