News agencies have constantly found a worthy prospect in Russia as a source of 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 happen to be a major source of positive international exposure with it also being among the favorite pastimes of the Russians.
Some of the sports 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 nation was required to undergo several changes. These changes reflected in the sports arena too. Football perhaps, was one of many games which was affected significantly from this change. Up until the Soviet era, it was probably the most popular and the most successful of all of the sports which the Russians took part in.
As the Soviet Union got divided into a number of 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 need of adequate sponsorship. However, with changing times, football once more emerged as 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 experienced a field day when Russia made its present felt once again within the Euro 2008 after they overcame Holland in the quarter final match.
Yet another sport that rose to great heights throughout the Soviet era was basketball. Since then itself, Russia has been a strong contender in this particular sport, winning several championships. One of 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 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 become 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 game by generating some of the worlds best pair and ice dancing skaters.
Tennis has a huge contribution from Russia. A number 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.