Favorite sporting events covered by Russian news agencies
News agencies have always found a worthy candidate in Russia as a source of important political, financial, economic and sports news. This country though is recognized for its volatile environment presently 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 favorite pastimes of the Russians.
Some of the sports that 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 these games, basketball, ice hockey, tennis and chess have helped bring the Russians a lot of glory.
With the end of the Soviet era, the country had to go through a number of changes. These changes reflected inside the sports arena as well. Football perhaps, was one of many games which was affected significantly 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 several smaller countries, the uniform football sports structure took a hit as well. 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 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 yet again emerged as being a popular sport amongst the Russians. Russia now has six Premier League teams alongside its national football team.
With new finances and sponsorships pouring in, the Russian Premier League is attempting to get back its lost glory. Sports news agencies experienced a field day when Russia made its present felt once more in the Euro 2008 after 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 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 also the ULEB cup. Giving basketball competition in popularity is ice hockey. Ice Hockey has been popular sport among the Russians since the Soviet times too. In keeping with its past success, ice hockey continues its dominance between 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 some of the worlds best pair and ice dancing skaters.
Tennis has had a huge contribution from Russia. Some of the worlds greatest mens and womens tennis champions have been Russians. These Russians have gone onto make their mark with this sport by winning major events covered by sports news agencies from across the world like the Wimbledon, the Olympics, the Davis cup and several other such hallowed tennis championships.