Popular sports covered by Russian news agencies
News agencies have constantly found a worthy candidate in Russia as being a source of important political, financial, economic and sports news. This country though has been recognized for its unpredictable environment currently continues to provide significant feed to news agencies primarily for its contribution in sports. Sports in Russia have been a significant source of positive international exposure with it also being one of the popular pastimes of the Russians.
A few of the sports these sports news agencies really enjoy are the ones that revolve around the sports of rhythmic gymnastics, chess, football, basketball, ice hockey, ice skating and tennis. Of these games, basketball, ice hockey, tennis and chess have brought the Russians plenty of glory.
Together with the end of the Soviet era, the nation was required to go through several changes. These changes reflected inside the sports arena as well. Football perhaps, was one of many games which was affected significantly by this change. Up until the Soviet era, it was one of the most popular and also the most successful of all of the sports which the Russians took part in.
As the Soviet Union got divided into a number of smaller countries, the uniform football sports structure took a hit as well. With national teams and clubs becoming private enterprises, the Russian team as a part of the Russian Premier League was affected rather badly. This league was at par with its European contemporaries lost a variety of its members to that change. Some of the premier clubs also dwindled as they lost their government funding and were left in need of adequate sponsorship. However, with changing times, football once more emerged as being a favorite sport within the Russians. Russia presently has six Premier League teams alongside its national football team.
With new finances and sponsorships pouring in, the Russian Premier League is attempting to regain its lost glory. Sports news agencies had a field day when Russia made its present felt once again in the Euro 2008 after they overcame Holland in the quarter final match.
Another sport that rose to great heights throughout the Soviet era was basketball. Since that time itself, Russia has been a strong contender in this sport, winning several championships. One of the most popular of them happen to be the Olympics, Basketball World Championships, The Eurobasket and also the ULEB cup. Giving basketball competition in popularity is ice hockey. Ice Hockey has become popular sport amongst the Russians ever since the Soviet times too. In line with its past success, ice hockey continues its dominance between the Russians, exporting 30 players to become part of the National Hockey League.
Sports news agencies also keep track of developments in the sports of tennis, chess and ice skating. Many time champions in the Winter Olympics, Russia has led the game by producing some of the worlds best pair and ice dancing skaters.
Tennis also has had a huge contribution from Russia. Some of the worlds greatest mens and womens tennis champions have been Russians. These Russians have gone on to make their mark in this sport by winning major events covered by sports news agencies from across the world like the Wimbledon, the Olympics, the Davis cup and several other such hallowed tennis championships.