Popular sports covered by Russian news agencies

News agencies have constantly found a worthy prospect in Russia as being a way to obtain important political, financial, economic and sports news. This country though has been known for its volatile environment presently continues to provide significant feed to these 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 with the Russians.

Some of the sports these sports news agencies really enjoy are the ones 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 brought 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 too. Football perhaps, was one of the games that was affected greatly from this change. Up until the Soviet era, it was one of the most popular and the most successful of all the sports that the Russians participated in.

Since 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 number of its members to that change. A few 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 favorite sport within the Russians. Russia now has 6 Premier League teams alongside its national football team.

With new finances and sponsorships pouring in, the Russian Premier League is attempting to regain its lost glory. Sports news agencies experienced a field day when Russia made its present felt once more in the Euro 2008 when they overcame Holland in the quarter final match.

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. One of 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 ever since the Soviet times too. In line with its past success, ice hockey continues its dominance amongst the Russians, exporting 30 players to be a 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 game by producing some 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 onto 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.