Russian President Vladimir Putin's rumored girlfriend has been seen in public for the first time since the West imposed sanctions on her.

Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, 39, is believed to have a hidden family with the Russian president, Telegrafi reports.

She was spotted at the Black Sea resort of Sochi at a rhythmic gymnastics training camp with 28 children.

She did not comment on the sanctions imposed on them or her private life.

It was Kabaeva's first public appearance since April, when she filmed a patriotic TV spot with several children at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow, honoring those killed in World War II.

Her reappearance this week came shortly after a Telegram channel called her the "invisible princess".

As Putin faces war with Ukraine, she told 28 young gymnasts: "I want to urge everyone not to give up - achieve your goals, do not lose heart."