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 is known for its unpredictable 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.
A few of the sports these sports news agencies really enjoy 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 plenty of glory.
With the end of the Soviet era, the nation 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 was probably the most popular and the most successful of all the sports which the Russians took part in.
Since the Soviet Union got separated into a number of smaller countries, the uniform football sports structure took a hit too. With national teams and clubs becoming 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 that change. Some of the premier clubs also dwindled as they lost their government funding and were left in want of adequate sponsorship. Nevertheless, with changing times, football yet again emerged as a popular sport within the Russians. Russia now has 6 Premier League teams alongside its national football team.
With new finances and sponsorships flowing in, the Russian Premier League is trying to get back its lost glory. Sports news agencies experienced a field day when Russia made its present felt once again in the Euro 2008 when they defeated Holland in the quarter final match.
Yet 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. Amongst the most popular of them happen to be the Olympics, Basketball World Championships, The Eurobasket and also 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 monitor developments in the sports of tennis, chess and ice skating. Many time champions in the Winter Olympics, Russia has led the sport by generating a few 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 are actually 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 such as the Wimbledon, the Olympics, the Davis cup and many other such hallowed tennis championships.
