Popular sports covered by Russian news agencies
News agencies have always found a worthy candidate in Russia as 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 among the popular pastimes with the Russians.
A few of the sports these sports news agencies thrive on are the ones that revolve around the sports of rhythmic gymnastics, chess, football, basketball, ice hockey, ice skating and tennis. Of all these games, basketball, ice hockey, tennis and chess have brought the Russians a lot of glory.
Together with the end of the Soviet era, the country had to go through a number of changes. These changes reflected inside the sports arena too. Football perhaps, was one of many games that was affected greatly from this change. Up until the Soviet era, it had been one of the most popular and also the most successful of all the sports which the Russians took part in.
Since the Soviet Union got separated into several smaller countries, the uniform football sports structure took a hit as well. With national teams and clubs becoming private enterprises, the Russian team as 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 since they lost their government funding and were left in need of adequate sponsorship. However, with changing times, football yet again emerged as a favorite sport within the Russians. Russia presently has six Premier League teams alongside its national football team.
With new finances and sponsorships flowing in, the Russian Premier League is trying to get back its lost glory. Sports news agencies experienced 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 during the Soviet era was basketball. Since then itself, Russia has been a strong contender in this particular sport, winning several championships. Amongst the most popular of them have been 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 among the Russians ever since the Soviet times as well. In line with its past success, ice hockey continues its dominance amongst the Russians, exporting thirty players to be a part of the National Hockey League.
Sports news agencies also monitor developments in the sports of tennis, chess and ice skating. Many time champions of the Winter Olympics, Russia has directed the sport by producing a few of the worlds best pair and ice dancing skaters.
Tennis also has a huge contribution from Russia. A number of the worlds greatest mens and womens tennis champions have been Russians. These Russians have gone onto make their mark in this sport by winning major events covered by sports news agencies from around the globe like the Wimbledon, the Olympics, the Davis cup and several other such hallowed tennis championships.