Alina Kabaeva is a 2004 Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics.Because she is dating Russian President Vladimir Putin, she could be the one to light the Olympic torch at Sochi's opening ceremonies. He's also never confirmed his relationship with Kabaeva, which began sometime around 2008.On state television on Wednesday, Putin insisted: There is a slim chance that Kabaeva will actually light the Olympic flame.But the believability of the story illustrates how cartoonish Putin's become.

(Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) Aliya Mustafina won the world all-around title in 2010 and earned four medals, including the bars gold, at the 2012 Olympics.Mustafina led her team to gold at the Rotterdam World Championships, then won the individual all-around in commanding fashion -- her total was more than a point over second-place finisher Jiang Yuyuan of China.Mustafina qualified to all four event finals and earned silver medals on vault, bars, and floor.SEE ALSO: Emotional baggage: Vladimir Putin ribs John Kerry over carrying his own luggage Rumors have "been floating around for years" since Putin's 2014 divorce from then-wife Lyudmila Putina, according to the report.The pair share two daughters -- Maria, 30, and Yekaterina, 29.Check out photos of Deng: PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 07: Wendi Deng Murdoch is seen arriving at Giambattista Valli Fashion show during Paris Fashion Week : Womenswear Fall Winter 2016/2017 on March 7, 2016 in Paris, France.(Photo by Jacopo Raule/GC Images)NEW YORK, NY - MAY 07: Wendi Deng Murdoch attends the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children's Inaugural Gala at Gotham Hall on May 7, 2015 in New York City.