Russian Olympians turn political strongmen

A hulk famed for bodylifting his 20-stone opponents; a precocious diva who swung somersaults in the air with impossible grace. Both are now working in Parliament. An impressive number of Russia's sporting legends - gymnasts, skaters, wrestlers, footballers and boxers - now hold public positions of real responsibility within Vladimir Putin and Dmitri Medvedev's United Russia ruling party.

Alexander 'The Experiment' Karelin (right) was the legendary Greco-Roman wrestler who won three Olympic golds. He now serves a region of Siberia and the Ministry of International Affairs. Late last year, while listening to complaints about low military pensions in a packed hall in the rural south, he had to rebuke an autograph hunter. Svetlana Khorkina, the gymnast who won seven Olympic medals, is part of

a brigade of young female athletes elected to the Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament, late last year. She takes care of social problems among Russia's youth.

Natalia Karpovich, a boxer who celebrated her wedding vows with a bout against her groom, is another young MP. Her political work included objecting to a resolution on the Ukrainian famine. Other athletes turned politicians include Alina Kabaeva, the rhythmic gymnast reportedly seen kissing Putin in a Moscow restaurant, Siberian boxer Aleksei Tishchenko, and Vladislav Tretyak, possibly the greatest goalkeeper in ice hockey history. All three are Olympic champions.

Speed-skater Svetlana Zhurova, now deputy speaker of the State Duma, explained why Russia had increased their medal tally at the 2006 Winter Olympics: "We performed so well because our president loves sports and is an athlete himself."

Obviously, these Russians are not the first sporting legends to take their popularity into politics: Sebastian Coe went from running in the Olympics to running the Olympics via