Will Alina Kabayeva, Vladimir Putin's Rumored Girlfriend, Light the Olympic Flame at Sochi?

Vladimir Putin doesn’t seem care what anyone says, writes or even protests about the upcoming Sochi Olympics. The Games are going to be the Russian President’s personal plaything and there doesn’t appear to be anything anyone can do to stop it. This wild Internet rumor from Russia — Putin’s alleged girlfriend Alina Kabayeva will light the Olympic flame at Sochi — would do little to dispel that widely-held notion.

Before you get all up in arms, remember Kabayeva did win the all-around gold in Rhythmic Gymnastics at the 2004 Athens Games along with a bronze four years earlier in Sydney. That said, given Russia’s rich sporting history she seems fairly low on the ladder of worthiness.

Jerry Seinfeld would certainly be impressed by her flexibility.

Ivan Drago would obviously be my No. 1 choice to light the flame, but (sadly) he’s a fictional character.