(FILES) A file picture taken on June 8 2001, shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) handing flowers to Alina Kabayeva, Russian rhytmic gymnastics star and Olympic prize winner, after awarding her with an Order of Friendship during annual award ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow. Russians reeled today from the shock announcement by President Vladimir Putin that his 30-year marriage was over, a break-up that was long an open secret but few imagined would ever be made public. The announcement unleashed speculation about whether Putin is seeing another woman, a subject that has so far been taboo. AFP PHOTO/ POOL /SERGEI CHIRIKOV

(FILES) A file picture taken on March 10, 2004, shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shaking hands with Alina Kabayeva, Russian rhythmic gymnastics star and Olympic prize winner, during the meeting with sportsmen, candidates to Russian Olympic team for Olympics 2004, in the presidential residence in Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow. Russians reeled today from the shock announcement by President Vladimir Putin that his 30-year marriage was over, a break-up that was long an open secret but few imagined would ever be made public. The announcement unleashed speculation about whether Putin is seeing another woman, a subject that has so far been taboo. AFP PHOTO/ POOL /SERGEI CHIRIKOV

Bildnummer: 03626815 Datum: 10.03.2004 Copyright: imago/Russian Look Staatspr??sident Wladimir Putin begr????t Svetlana Khorkina (li.) und Alina Kabayeva (alle Russland) w??hrend eines Empfangs - PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxRUSxCIS - NOxSUBAGENTS (WAF011688); Kabaeva, Kabajeva, Kabajewa, Kabayewa, Korkina, Chorkina, Vdig, quer, Aufmacher, premiumd, Kleidung, shake hands, shakehands, Politik, Politiker, Pr??sident, Staatsoberhaupt, Empfang Gymnastik 2004, RSG Moskau Rhythmische Sportgymnastik Damen Einzel Ru??land Gruppenbild Privatbild Werbemotiv Personen Sportpolitik

Russian gymnast Alina Kabayeva attends the 2008 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony in St. Petersburg Russia on February 18, 2008. The Laureus World Sports Awards are awarded annually to sportspeople who have been outstanding during the previous year. AFP PHOTO / NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA

18.02.2008 Rosja n/z Alina Kabayeva , mistrzyni olimpijska w gimnastyce artystycznej z Aten fot. Augustin/face to face/Reporter Alina Kabayeva attending Laureus World Sports Awards at the Mariinsky Concert Hall in St. Petersburg on February 18, 2008 in St.Petersburg, Russia.

18.02.2008 Rosja n/z Alina Kabayeva , mistrzyni olimpijska w gimnastyce artystycznej z Aten fot. Augustin/face to face/Reporter Alina Kabayeva attending Laureus World Sports Awards at the Mariinsky Concert Hall in St. Petersburg on February 18, 2008 in St.Petersburg, Russia

PHOTO:EAST NEWS/AFP Russia's Alina Kabayeva performs with the ball iin the ball event at the 22nd European Rythmic gymnastics championship in Moscow, 23 September 2006

Russia's Alina Kabayeva performs in the ball event at the 22nd European Rythmic gymnastics championship in Moscow, 23 September 2006. AFP PHOTO / TATYANA MAKEYEVA

PHOTO:EAST NEWS/AFP Russia's Alina Kabayeva performs with the clubs at the 22nd European Rythmic gymnastics championship in Moscow, 23 September 2006.

Russian Alina Kabayeva performs with the ball in the ball event at the 22nd European Rythmic gymnastics championship in Moscow, 23 September 2006. AFP PHOTO / TATYANA MAKEYEVA

Russia's Alina Kabayeva performs with ball for a silver medal during individual all-around competition during the 22nd European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship in Moscow, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)

21.12.2005 Rosja Moskwa Kreml N/z prezydent Wladimir Putin wrecza nagrode panstwowa Alinie Kabajewej , mistrzyni swiata w gimnastyce artystycznej fot. Photoxpress/REPORTER

President Vladimir Putin, left, speaks with gymnast Alina Kabayeva as he hosts Russia's Olympic athletes at a Kremlin banquet in Moscow, Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004. Vladimir Putin on Thursday congratulated the country's Olympic team on their strong showing in Athens and stressed the importance of a healthy lifestyle. (AP Photo/ITAR-TASS, Presidential Press Service)

Alina Kabaeva of Russia shows her gold medal during the medal ceremony for the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004. (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)

PHOTO:EAST NEWS/AFP Alina Kabayeva of Russia performs part of her gold medal winning routine with the ribbon during the rhythmic gymnastic individual exercise final competition at the 1998 Goodwill Games 24 July at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY. The gold medal was given in all four categories. Kabayeva won three of the gold medals.

PHOTO:EAST NEWS/AFP Alina Kabayeva of Russia performs her silver medal rope routine during the rhythmic gymnastic individual exercise final competition at the 1998 Goodwill Games 24 July at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY. Kabayeva won three gold medals during the competition.