Alina Kabaeva: Former Russian Gymnast and Mistress On Russian Vogue Cover

Alina Kabaeva, the former gymnast and alleged mistress of Vladimir Putin, is gracing the cover of the Russian Vogue this month.

If you enjoy taking a peek at cute babes with incredible flexibility, then do whatever it takes to get your hands on those pics.

Even if that means traveling to frigid Russia to pick up a copy from a newsstand.

Here's a closer look at the lovely Alina Kabaeva, the perky little gymnast who has become a polarizing presence is Russia.

No. 15: The Beginning

Before we delve into Alina's complicated adult life, let's take a look at her road to fame.

The daughter of a professional soccer player, she began receiving instruction in gymnastics when she was just three years old.

No. 14: How Was She Not Good Enough?

Apparently, Alina was initially considered a a long-shot to become a star.

Her youth coaches believed she was too big to execute the complicated maneuvers of rhythmic gymnastics.

She must have been a late-bloomer...

No. 13: Growth Spurt

After her first few coaches didn't believe in her, Alina finally found a coach who took her under his wing.

Her new coach, Irina Viner, began working with in her early teens as she entered competitions for the first time.

No. 12: From Russia, With Love

Alina was good enough to join the Russian National Team when she was 13, but she didn't find success right away.

It was only a matter of time...

No. 11: A Winner For the First Time

Alina won her first title at age 15, capturing the European Championship in rhythmic gymnastics.

They grow up so fast...

No. 10: More Success

Alina successfully defended her European title the following year and became a favorite to medal in the 2000 Olympic games.

Just like that, Russia had found another bright young face in gymnastics.

No. 9: Alina Gets the Gold

After a disappointing performance in Sydney when she won bronze, she won the gold medal in the individual all-around in the 2004 Olympic games in Athens.

Alina was already shrouded in controversy, having lost titles after testing positive for a banned diuretic.

Her most most infamous moments were yet to come...

No. 8: Time to Kick Back

Alina retired after the 2004 Olympics, only to briefly resume her gymnastics career before calling it quits again..

By this time, she had carved out a place in Russian pop culture...

No. 7: Do You Want Drama?

Rumors of an affair between Alina and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin spread like wildfire throughout Russia beginning in 2008.

Alina, who had become involved in Russian politics, denied the rumors.

It's like they've never even met...

No. 6: More Rumors

The rumor mill kept turning in Russia, with a newspaper reporting the alleged couple was actually engaged to be married.

Aside from the creepy age difference, the dirty little secret was especially scandalous because Putin was already in fact married.

Yikes...

Within days, the newspaper that first reported the engagement was mysteriously out of business.

No. 5: Alina Becomes a Mommy

After Alina gave birth to a son in 2009, rumors began to swirl that Putin was the father.

She has denied the rumors, but never said who the father is.

Hmm...

No. 4: Covergirl

As Alina rose to fame, she began receiving offers to pose in all sorts of magazines.

Prior to her Vogue shoot, she had posed in Maxim and FHM.

No. 3: Scandalous

Since retiring from gymnastics, Alina has become known even more famous for her alleged relationship with Putin.

She has tried to distance herself from scandal, saying she will tell her side of the story when the time is right.

No. 2: When Will She Come Clean?

Don't expect the 27-year-old beauty to tell all in her Vogue story.

There's nothing like being kept in suspense...

No. 1: Such a Sweet Face

What could the sweet, innocent Alina really be hiding?

Hopefully, she reveals what she has kept concealed for so long...