Doha Goals, a leading platform focusing on sports as a driver of social change, said that Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps will be one of several world-class athletes participating in the forum.

The forum will run from July 25 to 27 in Los Angeles, the first time the event is stop be held outside Qatar, said a statement.

"I am honored to join several world-class athletes and global leaders at Doha Goals Forum to discuss how sport can help drive social change," said Phelps.

"My dream has always been to change the sport of swimming and I have seen first-hand how sport can positively impact communities. I started the Michael Phelps Foundation because I wanted to create a program that would incorporate the skills I utilised in my swimming career in a way that would be beneficial to a much larger audience,” he said.

“I am proud to say that we have reached more than 10,000 children and young adults through our signature program in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Special Olympics International. I look forward to sharing my personal experiences and hearing inspiring stories from others as we talk about ways to continue to utilise the power of sport for the greater good,” he said.

Sheikh Faisal bin Mubarak Al Thani, executive director of Doha Goals, said: ”We are proud to have an elite list of global athletes participating in this year's Doha Goals Forum because we know this diversity greatly enhances our panel discussions.

"These world class athletes are both champions in their sport as well as leaders in the community and we appreciate their commitment toward achieving our mission of social impact via sport."

Doha Goals is a call to action for policymakers, NGOs, business leaders and athletes to present ideas for reform in sports, as well as ideas of how sports can be used to influence public policy.

This year's forum will debate topics including the ‘Evolution of the Special Olympics into a Global Social Movement’; how sports can lead in creating a more tolerant society; impact of athlete activism on the environment and social issues; and how can we leverage the ‘Power of Sports in Tackling Obesity.’

The forum, produced by Richard Attias & Associates, will partner with Special Olympics for the three-day summit, which will take place during the week of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. - TradeArabia News Service