Russians as a population are very keen in sports and have excelled in a variety of sports activities. The country has become a regular feature in the Olympics games procuring higher rankings in a very wide number of games. Though as USSR the nation was at its peak in the Olympics, even after the division Russia continues to be able to keep its position that the Soviets had created.
The Russians have been in the sports news because of their participation in a number of games such as football, basketball, tennis, ice hockey, weightlifting, boxing, gymnastics, skiing, figure skating and volleyball along with a host of other sports.
Basketball developed in the nation in the Soviet era. The Russian team proceeded to win several Olympic medals for their performance in this particular game. Also, they are the present winners in the Eurobasket World Championships having defeated Spain in the final game. They’ve already been champions of a number of other European championships including the Euroleague and the ULEB Cup. They also have a player within the Utah Jazz that is a NBA team.
Ice hockey is yet another very successful sport of the Russians. They’ve got about 30 players who are presently a part of the NHL. The players today are still maintaining the tradition built in the Soviet era.
The Russians have carried forth their winning streak by being in the news for their success in the field of ice skating. Previously being part of the winner team of the Winter Olympics, they’ve excelled in ice dancing and pair skating.
Football was probably the most successful sports through the Soviet era. With the division of USSR came the division of the national football teams and clubs. The most significant amongst those was the crumbling of the Russian Premier League because it lost a lot of its players. However, the game recovered its lost glory and presently has six Premier League teams apart from it now strong national team.
Ever since the end of the Soviet regime, Russia has grown as a powerhouse in the sport of tennis. A large number of probably the most successful women tennis players hail from this country together with some formidable men tennis players as well. These strong Russians have been in the news for their success inside the Olympics, Wimbledon, Fed Cup, Davis Cup and several such premier matches.
Chess is another sport which Russians have dominated for a long time having produced several world champions and Grand Masters. Another of Russias popular sports would be the Rugby League. The Russians rank 13th amongst all the teams according to the Rugby League International Federation sports news. Rugby Union is the one other sport that’s fast gaining popularity amongst the Russian masses, with the country ranking 17th based on the International Rugby Board.
One of many sports that Russia has won several accolades for is Rhythmic Gymnastics. Together with being probably the most popular sports forms in the country, it’s highlighted Russia in the world of sports news for having the worlds best rhythmic gymnasts.