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Age Restriction Forces Boxing Legend Manny Pacquiao Out Of Paris Olympics
Photo credit: Manny Pacquiao
Legendary Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao won't be gracing the boxing ring at the Paris Olympics due to age restrictions set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC, responding to a plea from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), emphasized the strict adherence to the 40-year-old age limit for athletes participating in the upcoming Olympic Games.
At 45 years old, Pacquiao exceeds the age regulation, rendering him ineligible for the competition. POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino expressed regret over the disqualification, stating, "Too bad our beloved boxing icon is disqualified because of his age, and that everyone needs to go through qualifiers, in all sports, to be able to participate in Paris."
Even if Pacquiao met the age requirement, he would have had to navigate the qualification process, with one such opportunity being the qualifiers held during last year's Asian Games, where Eumir Felix Marcial secured a silver medal in the light heavyweight category.
James McLeod, the IOC Director for National Olympic Committee Relations, responded to the POC's request for Pacquiao's inclusion, stating, "The only valid boxing qualification system for Paris 2024 is the one approved by the IOC Executive Board in September 2022, published and distributed to NOCs and boxing national federations on 6 December 2022. This includes the age limit of 40."
Furthermore, Pacquiao couldn't benefit from the Universality rule, as it excludes National Olympic Committees (NOCs) with an average of more than eight athletes in individual sports/disciplines at the last two editions of the Olympic Games (Rio and Tokyo).
Despite this setback, the Philippines will still be represented by four athletes in Paris who have successfully qualified—world No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena, boxer Eumir Felix Marcial, and artistic gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan. The nation's Olympic success in Tokyo, including Hidilyn Diaz Naranjo's historic gold medal and silver medals by Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, will be remembered as the country looks forward to making an impact in various sports on the grand stage once again.
At 45 years old, Pacquiao exceeds the age regulation, rendering him ineligible for the competition. POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino expressed regret over the disqualification, stating, "Too bad our beloved boxing icon is disqualified because of his age, and that everyone needs to go through qualifiers, in all sports, to be able to participate in Paris."
Even if Pacquiao met the age requirement, he would have had to navigate the qualification process, with one such opportunity being the qualifiers held during last year's Asian Games, where Eumir Felix Marcial secured a silver medal in the light heavyweight category.
James McLeod, the IOC Director for National Olympic Committee Relations, responded to the POC's request for Pacquiao's inclusion, stating, "The only valid boxing qualification system for Paris 2024 is the one approved by the IOC Executive Board in September 2022, published and distributed to NOCs and boxing national federations on 6 December 2022. This includes the age limit of 40."
Furthermore, Pacquiao couldn't benefit from the Universality rule, as it excludes National Olympic Committees (NOCs) with an average of more than eight athletes in individual sports/disciplines at the last two editions of the Olympic Games (Rio and Tokyo).
Despite this setback, the Philippines will still be represented by four athletes in Paris who have successfully qualified—world No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena, boxer Eumir Felix Marcial, and artistic gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan. The nation's Olympic success in Tokyo, including Hidilyn Diaz Naranjo's historic gold medal and silver medals by Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, will be remembered as the country looks forward to making an impact in various sports on the grand stage once again.
Feb 19, 2024
