Reminded that Putin was once a judo champion, Johnson said “I hope he will take part, isn’t he a dab hand? I think that’s what people want to see – stripped to the waist. We want the politicians’ Olympics, thats what we want.”

“It’s very good to see president Putin, in the sense I hope very much we will be able to do plenty of deals with Russia,” said the London mayor, hoping to extend the hand of mutualy beneficial economic prosperity.

Boris hit the headlines yesterday with a spectacular display of patriotic buffoonery on a zip wire in Victoria Park.

Meanwhile in Russia, political activist punks Pussy Riot are on trial for daring to speak out against Putin and what they see as an undemocratic election.

Watch the Bo-Jo video below…

Putin image: Getty

Putin image: Getty