Sport
Wintersports are very popular in Latvia and the country sent its largest ever contingent to the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in 2002. The national sport is ice hockey, with big matches gripping the entire nation. Games against Russia are particularly important, as are any international tournaments, since Latvia looks to sport as a way of getting itself known on the international arena. The country is set to host the Ice Hockey World Championships in 2006, with the main arena in Riga. Domestically, the two big teams are Skonto Riga and BC Ventspils.
Football increasingly is becoming more popular, especially as the national team is growing in strength and starting to challenge the bigger European nations. The local football side, Skonto Riga E Melngaila 1a (tel/fax: 733 1843), is the best team in the country and regularly wins both the Latvian league and cup competitions. They play at the new purpose-built Skonto Stadium (tel: 721 7999; fax: 728 4390; e-mail: skonto@skonto.lv; website: www.skonto.lv). Skonto Riga may have only formed in 1991 but they are already growing in strength outside Latvia, after some success in UEFA competitions.
Tickets are available at the ground the day before or on the morning of the match, at Skonto Stadium.
Fitness centres: There are a number of gym-type leisure centres in Riga, where guests can use the facilities for a fee. The excellent fitness centre at the Radisson Hotel, Kugu 24 (tel: 706 1111), includes a pool, sauna and gym which can be used for a daily fee of Ls8. Atlantis, Lacplesa 38 (tel: 728 0870), and City Fitness, Dzirnavu 16 (tel: 724 0888), are two alternative gyms.
Golf: There is only one golf course within easy reach of Riga. Golfs Viesturi, 1 Viesturi, Jaunmarupe (tel: 921 9699; fax: 747 0030), is 20km (12 miles) on the road towards Jurmala, although not accessible by public transport. Open to non-members, green fees cost Ls8-13 (nine holes) and Ls12-Ls18 (18 holes).
Swimming pools: The swimming pool at Riga Technical University, Kipsalas 5 (tel: 761 6989), is open to the public, charging Ls1.70 before 1700 and Ls2.30 thereafter. The Radisson Hotel, Kugu 24 (tel: 706 1111), also provides a swimming pool that is open to the public.
Tennis: The Central Tennis Club has branches at Kronvalda bulvaris 2b (tel: 732 2920), and Baldones 7 (tel: 761 2604). RTU, Kronvalda 3 (tel: 732 5379) hires out courts for Ls5 an hour.
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