Favorite sports covered by Russian news agencies
News agencies have constantly found a worthy prospect in Russia as being a source of important political, financial, economic and sports news. This country though has been recognized for its volatile environment presently continues to provide significant feed to news agencies primarily because of its contribution in sports. Sports in Russia have been a major source of positive international exposure with it also being among the favorite pastimes of the Russians.
Some of the sports these sports news agencies really enjoy are those 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 helped bring the Russians plenty of glory.
Together with the end of the Soviet era, the country was required to go through several changes. These changes reflected in the sports arena too. Football perhaps, was one of many games which was affected significantly by this change. Until the Soviet era, it had been probably the most popular and the most successful of all the sports which the Russians took part in.
Since 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 turning into 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 this 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 once more emerged as being a favorite sport amongst the Russians. Russia presently has 6 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 experienced a field day when Russia made its present felt once again within the Euro 2008 when 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 sport, winning several championships. One of the most popular of them have been 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 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 game by producing 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 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 like the Wimbledon, the Olympics, the Davis cup and several other such hallowed tennis championships.