Sport in Russia

Sport is an important part of life in Russia, and many people love to watch and play different kinds of games and activities. The most popular sport in Russia is association football, which many children and adults enjoy watching and playing.

Ice hockey is also very popular in Russia and comes in second place. After that, you will find sports like handball, basketball, futsal, boxing, auto racing, volleyball, athletics, tennis, and chess. These sports are enjoyed by many families across Russia.

Other sports that have many fans in Russia include bandy, biathlon, figure skating, weightlifting, gymnastics, wrestling, martial arts, rugby union, and skiing. Russia has been successful in many of these sports, and Russian athletes have won many prizes in international competitions.

History

The Soviet Union joined the Olympic Games for the first time in the 1952 Summer Olympics. Since then, athletes from the Soviet Union and later Russia have often placed very high in the medals count at the Summer Olympics.

Sadly, some Russian athletes could not compete in big events like the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2018 Winter Olympics. They competed under a neutral flag called "Olympic Athletes from Russia."

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many international sports groups asked Russian athletes not to take part in events. This was because of the conflict and rules about keeping sports events peaceful and fair.

Popularity

In 2018, a survey showed that ice hockey was the most popular sport for people aged 12 to 64 in Russia. About half of the people liked it. Figure skating was next, and soccer was third. Biathlon and skiing were also popular. The survey happened after the Olympic Games, which might have made winter sports seem more popular at the time.

In another survey from 2018, these sports were listed as the most popular:

Athletics

Main article: Athletics in Russia

Russia has been part of many types of athletics, such as the high jump, long jump, track athletics, hurdling, pole vault, racewalking, hammer throw, triple jump, javelin throw, and heptathlon.

In the past, Russian athletes could not join big international events because of rules about fair competition. After the events in Ukraine in 2022, Russian athletes were not allowed in many international athletics events. This includes events organized by World Athletics and the Diamond League.

Bandy

Bandy, often called "Russian hockey," is a very popular sport in Russia and is one of its national sports. It is the third most popular sport in the country. The sport began with the Soviet Union and some Nordic countries in 1955. The Soviet team won many Bandy World Championships from 1957 to 1979. In recent years, the average attendance for games was around 3,887 people. The women's national team has also won silver medals in several World Championships.

Because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia could not take part in the 2022 Women's Bandy World Championship. The men's 2020 Bandy World Championship, which was planned to be in Russia, was cancelled because some countries would not join because of the invasion.

Basketball

Main article: Basketball in Russia

Basketball is a popular sport in Russia. The Russian national basketball team has won many international titles.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, some basketball groups stopped Russian teams from playing. The International Basketball Federation banned Russian teams. EuroLeague stopped some Russian clubs. The National Basketball Association also stopped its work in Russia.

Biathlon

Biathlon is a very popular winter sport in Russia. Russian athletes have won medals in Olympic and World competitions. Because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Biathlon Union has stopped Russian athletes from competing in its international events.

Boxing

Russia has had many champions in boxing. They have won in the Olympics and as world title holders.

In June 2023, the International Boxing Association was no longer allowed to be part of the Olympic Movement after a vote. Many members supported this decision.

Chess

See also: Soviet chess school

Chess is a popular game and sport in Russia, especially since the years after World War II in 1945. In 1948, a Russian named Mikhail Botvinnik won the World Chess Championship, and after that, Soviet players were very strong in chess.

Later, in the 1990s, another great player, Kasparov, won many tournaments and became very skilled. Today, many of the best chess players in the world come from Russia.

Fencing

Fencing was a popular sport for wealthy people in old Russia. It grew in popularity across the Soviet Union, especially in the 1980s.

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, international rules prevented Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing. Some fencing leaders lost their positions because of their actions during this time. A few Russian Olympic fencers moved to the United States.

Figure skating

Figure skating is a popular sport in Russia. In the 1960s, the Soviet Union won many medals in figure skating, especially in pairs skating and ice dancing. From 1964 through 2006, at every Winter Olympics, a Soviet or Russian pair won the gold medal. In 2010, a Chinese pair won gold, but a Russian pair won again in 2014 in Sochi.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Skating Union banned all athletes from Russia from events until further notice.

Football

Main article: Football in Russia

Football has been played in Russia since the late 1800s. The first official match happened on October 24, 1897, and the first championship took place in 1912.

In 2022, Russia was not allowed to play in big football tournaments because of actions related to the situation in Ukraine. This decision was made by groups that organize these tournaments, and Russia tried to challenge it but was not successful.

Futsal

Russia has both men and women futsal teams. Because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, FIFA and Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) stopped Russian teams from playing in their competitions. This included national teams and club teams.

Gymnastics

Before 1991, the Soviet women's gymnastics team won many titles at the World Championship and the Summer Olympics. Most of these gymnasts were from the Russian SFSR. Russia has won medals in gymnastics at every World and Olympic competition.

Rhythmic gymnastics is popular in Russia. There are many clubs, such as the Gazprom School in Moscow where Irina Viner teaches.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Gymnastics Federation stopped Russian athletes from competing. They canceled events planned in Russia and will not hold more events there until further notice. The Russian flag is not allowed at their events.

Handball

Main article: Handball in Russia

Handball is a popular sport in Russia. Because of the conflict in Ukraine, some international groups made decisions that changed things for Russian and Belarusian athletes. They were not allowed to join in many events, and new organizers had to be found for some tournaments that were supposed to be in Moscow.

Judo

Judo is a popular sport in Russia. President Vladimir Putin helped Russia win many Olympic and world championships.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Judo Federation decided not to have Putin as its special leader anymore. They also removed a Russian person named Arkady Rotenberg from their important group. Russian athletes were still allowed to compete, but only as neutral players.

Mixed martial arts

Main article: Mixed martial arts in Russia

See also: Russian martial arts and Sambo (martial art)

In Russia, mixed martial arts (MMA) is a popular sport. Many great fighters come from Russia. Some famous fighters are Fedor Emelianenko and Khabib Nurmagomedov, who are thought to be among the best fighters ever. Other well-known fighters are Islam Makhachev, Khamzat Chimaev, Petr Yan, Alexey Oleynik, Volk Han, Oleg Taktarov, and Ali Bagautinov.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, some international groups stopped the Russian MMA Union from joining big competitions and would not allow events in Russia.

Sambo is another popular sport in Russia. It started in the Soviet Union.

Motorsport

Vitaly Petrov was Russia's first driver in Formula One racing in 2010. He drove for the Renault and Caterham F1 teams and got third place at the 2011 Australian Grand Prix. Daniil Kvyat started in Formula One in 2014 and got second place at the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix. The Russian Grand Prix started in 2014 at the Sochi Autodrom.

Sergey Sirotkin joined Formula One in 2018 but did not race after that year. Nikita Mazepin became the fourth Russian driver in Formula One, racing for the Haas F1 Team in 2021.

Because of a big event in 2022, the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi Autodrom was cancelled. Russian teams could not race, and no competitions could be held in Russia. Individual racers could still compete, but they could not show Russian symbols, flags, colors, or anthems.

Timur Timerzyanov won the FIA European Rallycross Championship in some years.

The Russian car brand Lada, also known as AvtoVAZ, raced in the World Touring Car Championship. They first joined in 2008 with Russian Bears Motorsport using Lada 110s. Lada later used the Lada Priora. Their best result was two sixth-place finishes by James Thompson at the Race of Italy. Lada left the championship for a while but returned in 2012 with a Lada Granta WTCC. In 2014, they expanded to three cars, and Robert Huff gave Lada their first win at the race in Beijing.

Motorcycle racing

Motorcycle racing is popular in Russia. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme banned Russian and Belarusian riders, teams, and officials. They cancelled a big race called the FIM Speedway GP of MFR – Togliatti, which was meant to happen in Tolyatti on July 9, 2022. The organization said it was not possible to hold the race then.

Rugby union

Main article: Rugby union in Russia

See also: Rugby union in the Soviet Union

Rugby union is a sport that people play in Russia. There are many clubs and thousands of players. Rugby became a professional sport in Russia in 2005 with the start of the Professional Rugby League.

Rugby was first played in the Russian Empire long ago. Russia took part in the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Because of problems in Ukraine, Russia could not play in international rugby competitions. The Rugby Union of Russia and the International Rugby League did not let Russia compete in their events.

Sambo

Sambo is a sport that began in the Soviet Union. It was created by two men from Russia, Viktor Spiridonov and Vasili Oshchepkov. The name Sambo means "self-defence without weapons" in Russian. In Sambo matches, players can strike, wrestle, and hold opponents on the ground. Some famous Russian fighters, like Fedor Emelianenko and Khabib Nurmagomedov, started their careers in Sambo.

Speed skating

Long track speed skating is a long tradition in Russia, going back to the time of the Russian Empire. After the Soviet Union ended, the Russian Federation won medals in speed skating at World Championships and World Cups.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Skating Union stopped letting Russian speed skating athletes compete in events. As of June 2023, this ban is still happening.

Other winter sports

Russians enjoy many exciting winter sports such as bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge.

Because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, some international groups asked Russian athletes to stop competing in events. The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, the International Luge Federation, and the International Ski Federation made this request for Russian and Belarusian athletes.

Swimming and diving

Swimming was a popular sport in Russia before the country called the USSR changed. Now, it is mostly enjoyed by top athletes.

In March 2022, because of trouble with Ukraine, international swimming groups asked Russian athletes not to compete in big swimming events. They also decided these events would not be held in Russia, and Russian athletes could not wear Russian colors or hear the Russian anthem even if they won.

Tennis

Russia has had many successful tennis players. Famous names include Maria Sharapova and Dinara Safina. Anastasia Myskina won a big tournament in 2004, and Sharapova has won several major titles. The Russian women's team has won a major team competition several times.

On the men's side, Marat Safin and Yevgeny Kafelnikov each won important tournaments. Safin won the US Open and the 2005 Australian Open. Kafelnikov won the 1996 French Open and the 1999 Australian Open. Both also won Olympic gold medals. More recently, Daniil Medvedev reached the number one spot and won the 2021 US Open, and Andrey Rublev has also been a top player.

Because of world events, some tennis tournaments did not let Russian players compete in 2022. However, many players can still play in most events, just not under the Russian flag.

Volleyball

Main article: Volleyball in Russia

The Russian women's national volleyball team has won many medals in big competitions. Because of world events, Russian teams could not play in some international volleyball events for a time. This included teams for volleyball, beach volleyball, and snow volleyball.

Wrestling

See also: Wrestling in Dagestan

Russia has had many winners in Olympic and World wrestling competitions. A famous wrestler is Alexander Karelin. He won three Olympic gold medals in Greco-Roman wrestling and was called the greatest Greco-Roman wrestler of the 20th century.

Wrestling is a popular sport for boys and young men in Russia. It is especially popular in areas like Chechnya, Dagestan, Karachay-Cherkessia, North-Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Ingushetia.

Weightlifting

In Russia, people enjoy a strongman competition called Powerlifting. This sport is like weightlifting. Russia does very well in the International Powerlifting Federation. Other good countries include the United States, Poland, Norway, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Sweden, Finland, Japan, and Ukraine.