News agencies have constantly found a worthy candidate in Russia as being a way to obtain important political, financial, economic and sports news. This country though has been known for its volatile environment currently continues to provide significant feed to 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 really enjoy 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 helped bring the Russians plenty of glory.
Together with the end of the Soviet era, the country had to go through several changes. These changes reflected in the sports arena as well. Football perhaps, was one of many games which was affected greatly by this change. Up until the Soviet era, it was one of 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 several smaller countries, the uniform football sports structure took a hit too. 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 variety of its members to this 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 within the Russians. Russia presently has six Premier League teams alongside its national football team.
With new finances and sponsorships flowing 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 again within the Euro 2008 when 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 become 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 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 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 of the Winter Olympics, Russia has led the game by producing 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 around the globe like the Wimbledon, the Olympics, the Davis cup and several other such hallowed tennis championships.