News agencies have always found a worthy prospect in Russia as being a way to obtain important political, financial, economic and sports news. This country though has been recognized for its unpredictable environment currently continues to provide significant feed to these news agencies primarily for its contribution in sports. Sports in Russia have been a significant source of positive international exposure with it also being one of the popular pastimes of the Russians.
Some of the sports that these sports news agencies thrive on are the ones 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.
Together with the end of the Soviet era, the country was required to undergo a number of changes. These changes reflected inside the sports arena too. Football perhaps, was one of the games which was affected greatly by this change. Up until the Soviet era, it had been one of the most popular and the most successful of all of 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 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 number of its members to that change. A few of the premier clubs also dwindled since they lost their government funding and were left in need of adequate sponsorship. Nevertheless, with changing times, football once more emerged as being a popular sport within the Russians. Russia presently has 6 Premier League teams alongside its national football team.
With new finances and sponsorships pouring in, the Russian Premier League is trying to get back its lost glory. Sports news agencies had a field day when Russia made its present felt once more within 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 then itself, Russia has become a strong contender in this sport, winning several championships. One of the most popular of them have been 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 line 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 in the sports of tennis, chess and ice skating. Many time champions of the Winter Olympics, Russia has led the sport by producing a few of the worlds best pair and ice dancing skaters.
Tennis also has a huge contribution from Russia. Some of the worlds greatest mens and womens tennis champions have been 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.
