Favorite sports covered by Russian news agencies
News agencies have always found a worthy candidate in Russia as a source of important political, financial, economic and sports news. This country though is known for its unpredictable environment presently continues to provide significant feed to news agencies primarily because of its contribution in sports. Sports in Russia happen to be a major source of positive international exposure with it also being among the popular pastimes with the Russians.
A few of the sports that these sports news agencies really enjoy are those that surround 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 helped bring the Russians a lot of glory.
With the end of the Soviet era, the nation had to go through a number of changes. These changes reflected in the sports arena as well. Football perhaps, was one of the games which was affected greatly by this change. Until the Soviet era, it had been probably the most popular and the most successful of all of the sports that the Russians took part in.
As the Soviet Union got separated into several 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 that change. Some of the premier clubs also dwindled as they lost their government funding and were left in need of adequate sponsorship. Nevertheless, 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 pouring in, the Russian Premier League is attempting to get back its lost glory. Sports news agencies had a field day when Russia made its present felt once more in the Euro 2008 when they overcame Holland in the quarter final match.
Yet another sport that rose to great heights throughout the Soviet era was basketball. Since that time itself, Russia has become a strong contender in this sport, winning several championships. Amongst 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 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 30 players to become part of the National Hockey League.
Sports news agencies also monitor developments in the sports of tennis, chess and ice skating. Many time champions in the Winter Olympics, Russia has directed the sport by generating a few of the worlds best pair and ice dancing skaters.
Tennis has 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 around the globe such as the Wimbledon, the Olympics, the Davis cup and many other such hallowed tennis championships.
