Olympic Aspirations -- Media Watch

The most decorated Olympian of all time could take home a few more medals. "Michael Phelps showedhe could be on track for even more Olympic gloryafter making a winning return to international competition just a few months after coming out of retirement," the AFP writes of the swimmer's Pan Pacific Championship performance.

USA TodaysaysLiang Chow, a gymnastics coach who trained Olympians Shawn Johnson and Gabby Douglas, was"beaming" after his team's performance at the United States Gymnastics Championships this past Saturday."It was a good day for the Chow family," Chow told reporters. "I'm looking forward for the next chapter for these young ladies."

Olympic bobsledder Jazmine Fenlator reflects on Mo'ne Davis,the 13-year-old pitcher who made headlines for her performance during the Little League World Series."I'm proud of her not just as a female in sport, not just of her accomplishments, not for rising above defeats, but for her resilience in going after her dreams," Fenlator said of Davis, only the 18th girl to ever play in the LLWS. "As I gear up for the upcoming season I have found additional motivation and inspiration in Mo'ne."

It could go from a cool runnings to a cool skatings. The Toronto Star reports on Jamaica's ice hockey Olympic aspirations. Graeme Townshend, the first Jamaican-born player in the National Hockey League, wants to see a hockey team from his home country at an Olympic Games in the next 20 years.

The Washington Posteditorial board discusses Washington D.C.'s shot at the 2024 Olympics."The regionshould take satisfaction in the attributes that have made it a competitive choiceand be open to the possibilities the Olympics could create,"Washington Post'seditors affirm.

Steven Bainbridge, the regional head of sports law atAl Tamimi & Company in the Middle East, contributes a piece on Dubai's potential to host an Olympic Games."When it comes to hosting major events Dubai does this brilliantly," Bainbridge writes. "The emirate already attracts a plethora of top-tier sports tournaments and is able to keep them year after year precisely because they are hosted so well."

In Other News

With the start of the U.S Open the New York Times Magazine publishes its traditional U.S. Open edition.

USA Today'sNancy Armour takes a look back at women's gymnastics at the 1984 Summer Olympics."Little did they realize they werelaying the foundation of a dynasty,"Armour writes. "Those pint-sized girls with their star-spangled leotards, pixie cuts and sparkly ponytails."

Compiled byNicole Bennett

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