Popular sporting events covered by Russian news agencies
News agencies have constantly found a worthy prospect in Russia as a way to obtain important political, financial, economic and sports news. This country though has been recognized for its volatile 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 with the Russians.
Some of the sports that 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 all these games, basketball, ice hockey, tennis and chess have brought the Russians a lot of glory.
Together with the end of the Soviet era, the country had to undergo a number of changes. These changes reflected in the sports arena too. Football perhaps, was one of many games which 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.
As the Soviet Union got divided into several smaller countries, the uniform football sports structure took a hit too. 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 as they lost their government funding and were left in want of adequate sponsorship. However, with changing times, football yet again emerged as a popular sport amongst the Russians. Russia presently has six Premier League teams alongside its national football team.
With new finances and sponsorships pouring in, the Russian Premier League is trying to regain its lost glory. Sports news agencies had 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 during the Soviet era was basketball. Since then 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 amongst the Russians ever since the Soviet times too. In keeping 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 generating some of the worlds best pair and ice dancing skaters.
Tennis has had 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 several other such hallowed tennis championships.