Russians as a population are very keen in sports and have excelled in a number of sporting activities. The country has become a regular feature in the Olympics games procuring higher rankings in a wide variety of games. Though as USSR the country was at its peak within 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 for their participation in many 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 country during the Soviet era. The Russian team went on to win several Olympic medals because of their performance in this game. Also, they are the current winners of 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 with the Russians. They have about 30 players that are presently a part of the NHL. Players today are still maintaining the tradition built in the Soviet era.
The Russians have carried forth their winning streak by being in news reports for their success in the field of ice skating. Having been a 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 in the national football teams and clubs. The most significant amongst those was the crumbling of the Russian Premier League as it lost many of its players. However, the sport recovered its lost glory and presently has six Premier League teams aside from it now strong national team.
Since the end of the Soviet regime, Russia is continuing to grow as a powerhouse in the sport of tennis. A great number of probably the most successful women tennis players hail from this country along with some formidable men tennis players as well. These strong Russians have been around in the news for their success in the Olympics, Wimbledon, Fed Cup, Davis Cup and many such premier matches.
Chess is yet another sport which Russians have dominated for a long time having produced several world champions and Grand Masters. Another of Russias popular sports is the Rugby League. The Russians rank 13th amongst all of the teams according to the Rugby League International Federation sports news. Rugby Union is the one other sport that’s fast gathering popularity among 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. Along with being one of 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.