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“Putin to wed gymnast”

The former rhythmic gymnastics world champion, Alina Kabaeva (right). — Photo: AFP

London: President Vladimir Putin, known for keeping his private life out of public gaze, is to marry a gymnast less than half his age, said a news report on Thursday.

Moscow is ablaze with rumours that Mr. Putin (56) and the flexible 24-year-old Alina Kabaeva, who is now a member of the Russian Parliament, have decided to tie the knot, The Daily Telegraph of Britain reported.

The London daily quoted the Russian newspaper Moskovski Korrespondent as saying the couple are to marry in mid-June, little more than a month after Mr. Putin steps down as President.

Born in 1983 in Tashkent, Miss Kabaeva represented Russia at both the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games.

According to the report, she has appeared in an action film and posed in daring photographs as a model. There was no comment from the Kremlin. The report said the Russian President has separated from his 50-year-old wife, Ludmilla. — PTI

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