News agencies have always found a worthy candidate in Russia as being a source of important political, financial, economic and sports news. This country though has been recognized for its volatile environment currently continues to provide significant feed to news agencies primarily for its contribution in sports. Sports in Russia have been a major source of positive international exposure with it also being among the popular pastimes of the Russians.
A few of the sports that these sports news agencies thrive on 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 brought the Russians a lot of glory.
With the end of the Soviet era, the country was required to undergo several changes. These changes reflected inside the sports arena too. Football perhaps, was one of many games that was affected greatly from this change. Up until the Soviet era, it was one of the most popular and also the most successful of all of the sports which the Russians participated 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 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 as they lost their government funding and were left in want of adequate sponsorship. Nevertheless, with changing times, football yet again emerged as being a favorite sport amongst 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 regain its lost glory. Sports news agencies experienced a field day when Russia made its present felt once more within the Euro 2008 when they defeated Holland in the quarter final match.
Another sport that rose to great heights during the Soviet era was basketball. Since that time itself, Russia has been 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 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 too. 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 from the sports of tennis, chess and ice skating. Many time champions in the Winter Olympics, Russia has directed the sport by generating a few of the worlds best pair and ice dancing skaters.
Tennis also has had 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 in 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 many other such hallowed tennis championships.
