Manny Pacquiao’s bid to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics has been denied by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to his age exceeding the 40-year-old limit. The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) had appealed for his participation but the IOC remained firm on their regulations.
Pacquiao, currently 45, expressed his long-held dream of participating in the Olympics with the national boxing team. The POC formally requested the IOC to consider him under the universality rule, but he didn’t meet the criteria as the Philippines already exceeded the quota based on past athlete participation.
While disappointed, Pacquiao’s Olympic dream remains unfulfilled. The Philippines currently has four athletes qualified for the Paris Games: EJ Obiena (pole vault), Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan (gymnastics), and Eumir Marcial (boxing).
Source: PhilNews24 | February 19, 2024
