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 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 one of the popular pastimes of 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 helped bring the Russians plenty of glory.

With the end of the Soviet era, the nation had to undergo several changes. These changes reflected inside the sports arena as well. Football perhaps, was spessart news one of the games which was affected greatly by this change. Until the Soviet era, it was probably the most popular and also the most successful of all the sports that the Russians participated in.

Since the Soviet Union got divided into a number of 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 part of the Russian Premier League was affected rather badly. This league was at par with its European contemporaries lost a number of its members to that change. A few of the premier clubs also dwindled since they lost their government funding and were left in want of adequate sponsorship. However, with changing times, football once more emerged as a favorite 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 attempting to get back its lost glory. Sports news agencies had a field day when Russia made its present felt once again in the Euro 2008 when they overcame Holland in the quarter final match.

Yet another sport that rose to great heights during the Soviet era was basketball. Since that time itself, Russia has become 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 amongst the Russians 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 keep track of developments in the sports of tennis, chess and ice skating. Many time champions of the Winter Olympics, Russia has led the game by producing some of the worlds best pair and ice dancing skaters.

Tennis also 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 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 several other such hallowed tennis championships.