PHOTOS: Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Being cool and looking cool -- that's what United States President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have in common, apart from the fact that both are facing strong criticism in their respective countries.

Putin's adventures have been well documented.

Obama, on the other hand, maintains the gravitas his post demands. However, when it comes to having fun, the most powerful man in the world knows how to let his hair down.

Let's take a look at some of Obama's coolest moments.

We begin with an image of the president jumping from a ledge at the Nabataean Amphitheatre in Jordan. Accompanying him on his walking tour of the ancient city of Petra is Dr Suleiman A D Al Farajat, a professor of tourism at the University of Jordan.

To be clear: Calling a president 'cool' does not mean an endorsement of his policies, nor is it a measure of his competence.

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Obama throws a football with Chief of Staff Denis McDonough at the White House Colonnade.

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Ankles crossed, leaning casually on his umbrella, Obama waits for the rain to pass before walking towards the West Wing of the White House.

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Obama gets playful with a magnifying glass during a visit to a pre-kindergarten classroom at the College Heights Early Childhood Learning Centre in Decatur, Georgia.

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Obama greets Jack Hoffman of Atkinson, Nebraska, in the Oval Office.

Hoffman, who is battling pediatric brain cancer, ran for a 69-yard touchdown during a Nebraska Cornhuskers spring football game.

The delighted seven-year-old is holding a football that the president signed for him.

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First Lady Michelle Obama and the president dance during the inaugural ball at the Walter E Washington Convention Centre in Washington.

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Obama shoots clay targets at the range at Camp David.

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After meeting with the US Olympics gymnastics team, the president suggested to gymnast McKayla Maroney that they recreate her 'not impressed' photograph.

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Obama kisses a baby on the tarmac at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado.

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'How cool is this,' grinned Obama after he threw a football at Soldier Field following a NATO working dinner in Chicago.

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Obama samples fudge offered by Squirrel's Den Fudge Shop owner LaDonna Secrist at Mansfield, Ohio.

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As First Lady Michelle Obama began her televised speech at the Democratic National Convention, three of her biggest fans -- husband Obama and daughters Malia (left) and Sasha -- cheered from the Treaty Room at the White House.

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Obama kisses his wife for the 'Kiss Cam' at the US Men's Olympic basketball team's game against Brazil at the Verizon Centre in Washington.

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Obama steals a few moments to play with Bo, the First Dog, at the Oval Office.

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How many of us can boast of a president holding a cake as we blow out the candles?

Bloomberg White House correspondent Julianna Goldman can; Obama celebrated her birthday aboard Air Force One during the flight from Germany.

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Want the president of the United States to do push-ups? Well, just shoot a basket!

In this image, President Obama does push-ups on the White House Basketball Court after a member of the Harlem Globetrotters made a shot.

The President participated in Shoot for Strength, a game where children did push-ups for every basketball shot made by the pros.

The game was part of the White House Easter Egg Roll festivities.

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The  president jumped into the ocean and his bodyguards did not react!

Obama, on his annual Christmas vacation in his native state of Hawaii, went swimming at Pyramid Rock Beach in Kaneohe Bay.

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Even as preparations were on a reception at the Hyatt in Philadelphia, Obama lounged on the carpeted steps for a quick chat with former senior advisor Valerie Jarrett. 

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Obama enjoys a green tea ice cream bar after a visit to the Great Buddha of Kamakura in Japan. The president, who had visited Kamakura as a child, remembered sitting at the exact same place to have an ice cream bar.

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