Popular sports covered by Russian news agencies
News agencies have always found a worthy candidate in Russia as being a way to obtain important political, financial, economic and sports news. This country though is known for its volatile environment presently continues to provide significant feed to these news agencies primarily for its contribution in sports. Sports in Russia happen to be a major source of positive international exposure with it also being among the favorite pastimes with the Russians.
Some of the sports these sports news agencies thrive on are those 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 country was required to go through several changes. These changes reflected in the sports arena as well. Football perhaps, was one of the games that was affected significantly from this change. Until the Soviet era, it had been probably the most popular and the most successful of all the sports which the Russians participated in.
As the Soviet Union got separated into several smaller countries, the uniform football sports structure took a hit as well. 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 since they lost their government funding and were left in want of adequate sponsorship. Nevertheless, with changing times, football yet again emerged as being a popular sport within the Russians. Russia presently has 6 Premier League teams alongside its national football team.
With new finances and sponsorships flowing in, the Russian Premier League is trying to regain its lost glory. Sports news agencies experienced a field day when Russia made its present felt once more within the Euro 2008 after they defeated Holland in the quarter final match.
Yet another sport that rose to great heights throughout the Soviet era was basketball. Since then itself, Russia has become a strong contender in this 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 become popular sport among the Russians ever 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 monitor developments in the sports of tennis, chess and ice skating. Many time champions in the Winter Olympics, Russia has led the game by generating a few of the worlds best pair and ice dancing skaters.
Tennis has a huge contribution from Russia. A number of the worlds greatest mens and womens tennis champions have been Russians. These Russians have gone on to 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 many other such hallowed tennis championships.