Popular 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 has been known for its volatile environment currently continues to provide significant feed to these news agencies primarily because of its contribution in sports. Sports in Russia have been a significant source of positive international exposure with it also being one of the favorite pastimes of 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 a lot of glory.
Together with the end of the Soviet era, the nation had to go through several changes. These changes reflected in the sports arena as well. Football perhaps, was one of many games which was affected greatly by this change. Up until the Soviet era, it was one of the most popular and the most successful of all of the sports which the Russians participated in.
As the Soviet Union got divided into several smaller countries, the uniform football sports structure took a hit too. With national teams and clubs turning into 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 want of adequate sponsorship. However, with changing times, football once more emerged as a popular 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 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 defeated Holland in the quarter final match.
Another sport that rose to great heights during the Soviet era was basketball. Since that time itself, Russia has been a strong contender in this particular sport, winning several championships. Amongst 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 as well. In line 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 of the Winter Olympics, Russia has directed the sport by producing some 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 with this sport by winning major events covered by sports news agencies from across the world such as the Wimbledon, the Olympics, the Davis cup and many other such hallowed tennis championships.