RIA Novosti

World Cup Infrastructure Inadequate - Deputy CEO

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:44:00 GMT

Russia is struggling to beef up its hospitality infrastructure ahead of the 2018 World Cup, with seven of the 11 host cities lagging behind in the number of hotel rooms on offer, World Cup deputy CEO Alexander Djordjadze said Tuesday.

Russia Announces Cash Prizes for Its Universiade Medalists

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:30:00 GMT

Russia’s federal government will pay out roughly $5,400 to Russian gold medalists at this summer’s University Games in the Russian city of Kazan, according to a decree signed Tuesday by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Anzhi Takes Bronze in Russia’s Football Premier League

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:43:00 GMT

Anzhi Makhachkala cemented a best-ever third place in the Russian Premier League on Monday after Samuel Eto'o's goal gave Guus Hiddink's side a 2-1 win over Lokomotiv Moscow.

St. Petersburg Denies Zenit Arena in New Trouble

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:49:00 GMT

St. Petersburg's vice governor responsible for construction on Monday denied claims by Russia's federal Audit Chamber that the city's 2018 World Cup football stadium might not be complete until 2017.

Zenit Stadium May Be Delayed Until 2017 - Official

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:27:00 GMT

The completion date for Zenit St. Petersburg’s $1.1 billion stadium has been put back again and it may not open until 2017, a decade after construction work began, the head of the government agency auditing the project said Monday.

Bad Blood Resurfaces in Wrestling Over Olympic Ax

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:02:00 GMT

Recriminations over wrestling’s exclusion from the Olympics re-emerged Monday, as supporters of the sport’s former chief were accused of hurling insults at an official meeting.

Cancer Survivor Kleybanova Targets Return to Tennis Elite

Mon, 20 May 2013 06:46:00 GMT

After a victorious comeback to professional tennis, former world No. 20 and cancer survivor Alisa Kleybanova vowed Monday to return to the sport’s biggest competitions.

FC Zenit Player Says Sorry for Obscene Gesture at Fans

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:56:00 GMT

Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder Roman Shirokov has apologized for making an obscene gesture at his own team’s fans during a game.

US Beats Finland for Bronze at Hockey Worlds

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:13:00 GMT

Alex Galchenyuk scored twice in a shootout as the United States won its first medal at the world hockey championship in a decade with a 3-2 win over Finland in the bronze medal game on Sunday.

Nadal Trounces Federer in Rome Final

Sun, 19 May 2013 15:48:00 GMT

World number five Rafael Nadal defended his title at the ATP Rome Masters on Sunday with his easiest victory over Roger Federer ever, prevailing 6-1, 6-3 in just 72 minutes.

Mutko Lauds Rebirth of Sports Units in Russian Army

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:25:00 GMT

Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has hailed the arrival of the first all-athlete military units since Soviet times.

Sweden Storms Into World Hockey Final

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:12:00 GMT

Sweden reached the world hockey championship final on Saturday as two goals from Dallas Stars wing Loui Eriksson propelled the eight-time champion to a 3-0 semifinal win over an ill-disciplined Finland.

Pole Vault: Isinbayeva Wins Comeback Meet in Shanghai

Sat, 18 May 2013 16:05:00 GMT

Russian pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva won her first competition of the season on Saturday by jumping 4.70 meters at the Diamond League meeting in Shanghai.

Serena Williams Blasts Into Rome Final

Sat, 18 May 2013 14:03:00 GMT

World No. 1 Serena Williams set a searing pace Saturday as she reached the final of the Italian Open with a straight-sets thrashing of Romania’s Simona Halep.

CSKA Moscow Win Russian Premier League Title

Sat, 18 May 2013 12:29:00 GMT

CSKA Moscow secured the Russian Premier League title with a game to go Saturday after a goalless draw at home to FC Kuban.

New Boxing Champion Accused of Doping Hours After Victory

Sat, 18 May 2013 06:31:00 GMT

Hours after winning the World Boxing Association cruiserweight title, Guillermo Jones was plunged into scandal when a former champion accused him of doping to give himself unnatural stamina in Friday’s knockout win over Denis Lebedev.

Povetkin Makes Short Work of Wawrzyk in Klitschko Warm-Up

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:50:00 GMT

Alexander Povetkin beat Andrzej Wawrzyk in a violent three-round knockout on Friday to retain the regular WBA heavyweight title and set up a near-certain date with champion Wladimir Klitschko later this year.

Tennis: Sharapova Pulled Out of Rome to Boost French Open Chances

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:49:00 GMT

World No. 2 Maria Sharapova admitted Friday to R-Sport that the upcoming French Open played a part in her decision to pull out of the Italian Open in Rome.

Tyson, Holyfield May Reunite for Moscow Fight

Fri, 17 May 2013 07:15:00 GMT

It has been 16 years since Mike Tyson bit off a chunk of Evander Holyfield’s ear, but the two old rivals could now meet again at a world title fight, albeit as friendly spectators.

Estonian Looks to Storm American Pro Football

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:11:00 GMT

So extraordinary are the physical talents of Estonian athlete Margus Hunt, that US media commentators have likened him to some fictional creation of a sports video game.

Russia Hammered by US in Hockey Worlds Quarters

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:55:00 GMT

Russia collapsed in the world hockey championship quarterfinal on Thursday as the United States effortlessly poured in goals to embarrass the defending champions with an 8-3 victory in Helsinki.

Zenit Pioneer Match Security With ‘School for Stewards'

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:07:00 GMT

Zenit St. Petersburg will become the first football club in Russia to open its own school for match stewards, it announced on Thursday.

US Poses 'Big Threat' at World Champs - Russian Hockey Star

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:30:00 GMT

The United States will be a big threat to Russia in the world hockey championship quarterfinals, all the more so because the American players have adapted well to Europe’s larger rinks, Russia’s on-form winger Ilya Kovalchuk told R-Sport on Thursday.

Hockey: Olympics Force KHL to Abandon Extended Season

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:55:00 GMT

The KHL has shelved plans to extend the regular hockey season by 14 games because of pressure on the calendar caused by next year’s Winter Olympics, league president Alexander Medvedev told R-Sport on Thursday.

US, Russia, Iran Tangle to Save Olympic Wrestling

Thu, 16 May 2013 03:01:00 GMT

Russia, Iran and the United States – rivals on the world stage – joined together in an unlikely alliance Wednesday inside New York’s Grand Central Terminal train station for a wrestling exhibition to try and save their sport from being dropped in the Olympics.