Favorite sports covered by Russian news agencies
News agencies have constantly found a worthy prospect in Russia as being a way to obtain important political, financial, economic and sports news. This country though is known for its unpredictable environment currently continues to provide significant feed to news agencies primarily because of its contribution in sports. Sports in Russia happen to be a significant source of positive international exposure with it also being one of the favorite pastimes with the Russians.
Some of the sports that these sports news agencies really enjoy are the ones that surround 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.
With the end of the Soviet era, the country was required to undergo a number of changes. These changes reflected inside the sports arena too. Football perhaps, was one of many games which was affected greatly by this change. Until the Soviet era, it was probably the most popular and the most successful of all of the sports that 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 too. 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 this 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 a popular sport amongst the Russians. Russia now has six Premier League teams alongside its national football team.
With new finances and sponsorships flowing in, the Russian Premier League is attempting to regain its lost glory. Sports news agencies experienced a field day when Russia made its present felt once again in the Euro 2008 when they defeated Holland in the quarter final match.
Yet another sport that rose to great heights during the Soviet era was basketball. Since that time itself, Russia has become a strong contender in this particular sport, winning several championships. One of the most popular of them happen to be the Olympics, Basketball World Championships, The Eurobasket and the ULEB cup. Giving basketball competition in popularity is ice hockey. Ice Hockey has been popular sport amongst the Russians since the Soviet times too. In keeping with its past success, ice hockey continues its dominance between the Russians, exporting thirty 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 directed the sport by generating 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 are actually Russians. These Russians have gone onto make their mark with this sport by winning major events covered by sports news agencies from around the globe such as the Wimbledon, the Olympics, the Davis cup and many other such hallowed tennis championships.