The Olympic dream is over for Manny Pacquiao earlier than it even had an opportunity to start.
Pacquiao, 45, had hoped to earn a spot on the Philippines’ boxing squad for Paris 2024 this summer time. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has knowledgeable the previous eight-division world champion the age restriction guidelines will not be altered to permit him to compete in France.
The IOC elevated the utmost age in Olympic boxing from 34 to 40 in 2013, however ‘Pac Man’ is considerably previous even the higher restrict. The former Filipino presidential election hopeful hasn’t had a aggressive bout since August 2021 when he misplaced to Yordenis Ugas through unanimous resolution.
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A universality exemption was reportedly touted as a chance for the Philippines, which might have allowed Pacquiao to compete. However, the nation has been too energetic in current Summer Games to qualify for the loophole.
“Universality places are not allocated to [teams] with an average of more than eight athletes in individual sports/disciplines at the last two editions of the Olympic Games,” learn an announcement from the IOC. “This is the case for the Philippine Olympic Committee.”
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(Image: AFP through Getty Images)
Universality athletes historically hail from smaller nations with fewer individuals, who could wrestle to qualify through the orthodox channels. However, the Philippines gained three Olympic medals on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in boxing (two silvers and one bronze).
Pacquiao would have been eligible to compete on the Rio Olympics in 2016, however he was within the midst of operating for senator in his native Philippines on the time. And it seems the dream of Olympic gold is now nicely and really over.
(Image: @mannypacquiao/Instagram)
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The boxing veteran had a six-round exhibition bout towards South Korean influencer DK Yoo in 2022 however has in any other case been inactive since hanging up his gloves. A comeback bout towards former UFC champion Conor McGregor has been touted, with the Irishman having beforehand confronted Pacquiao’s previous rival, Floyd Mayweather Jr.