Sporting world

Michael Jordan inspired me: Phelps By Armstrong Vas Los Angeles, California: Swimmer Michael Phelps said he looked up to basketball legend Michael Jordan for inspiration as a kid. Speaking at the Doha Goals Forum here on Sunday, the Olympic champion who is making a comeback said: “As a kid I looked up to Jordan, because of what he did and how he changed the sport of basketball. That’s what I wanted to do in the sport of swimming. We’ve come a long way since 2000 and my first Olympic Games.” The American legend who has won an astonishing 22 medals at the Olympic Games is one of several Olympic legends who are attending the two-day meet in Los Angeles, one of the greatest gatherings of Olympic legends outside of the Olympic Games. The list included Carl Lewis, Nadia Comaneci, Bart Conner, Greg Louganis, Apolo Ohno, Yuna Kim, Michelle Kwan, Scott Hamilton, Meryl Davis, Hannah Teter, Abby Wambach, John Carlos and Ato Boldon. Phelps was interviewed by Boldon, a four-time Olympic meda

Special Olympics World Games begin By Armstrong Vas Los Angeles, California: Twenty eight athletes from Qatar were part of a colourful opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games, which were declared open by US First Lady Michelle Obama here on Saturday night. Joy, acceptance, courage, determination, unity and especially inclusion were the central themes of the world’s largest sports and humanitarian event, this year attended by 6,500 athletes representing 165 countries. Michelle Obama praised the athletes for their courage and determination, noting they were an example to the millions of people watching the opening ceremony in their living rooms. “My husband and I, we are so proud of you, so incredibly proud of you, and we love you all from the bottom of our hearts,” the First Lady said. “You are filling us with so much hope. Uniting us in a way that nothing else can,” she added. The inspiring opening ceremony took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the only v

Doha Goals starts in Los Angeles By Armstrong Vas Los Angeles: Qatar – which has emerged as one of the leading sports hub of global sports – is looking forward to developing long-term initiatives to promote sport as vehicle for creating a more inclusive society, commented H E Sheikh Faisal bin Mubarak Al Thani Executive Director of Doha Goals Forum.   Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Doha Goals Forum H E Sheikh Faisal said: “As a nation, Qatar is a strong advocate for the power of sport: it is one of the pillars of our country’s vision. Through the leadership of H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, the country is committed to developing sport for the nation, for our citizens, and most importantly for our next generation.” The three-day forum, a leading platform for social and economic progress through sport, opened on Sunday in Los Angeles, California - the first time the event is being held outside Qatar. “Sport is an integral part of our educatio