Former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao’s dream of participating in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris has been shattered. The International Olympic Committee [IOC] has turned down the 45-year-old retired Pacquiao’s request to compete in the Olympics due to age restrictions.
Pacquiao had hoped to secure a gold medal for the Philippines in the Olympics as a final achievement before retiring from boxing. However, his exemption plea was rejected as Olympic competitors must be under the age of 40.
Many fans lack sympathy for Pacquiao, considering his already immensely successful career, substantial wealth, and secure future.
Allowing Pacquiao to fight in the Olympics would mean depriving a younger, less accomplished boxer of the opportunity. It would be unfair for Pacquiao to take the place of someone who hasn’t had the chance to make a name for themselves. Granting him this opportunity would send the wrong message.
Given Pacquiao’s recent performance in two exhibition matches since his retirement in 2022, his chances of winning a gold medal in the 2024 Olympics would be slim. He is no longer the formidable fighter who achieved victories over Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Keith Thurman, and Oscar De La Hoya.
Abraham Tolentino, the President of the International Olympic Committee, expressed disappointment at Pacquiao’s disqualification due to age and emphasized the importance of qualifiers for all sports in order to participate in Paris.
The IOC’s rejection of Pacquiao’s bid to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics marks the end of an era in his boxing career. It is unlikely that he will return to the professional ring.
Pacquiao’s last professional fight was a 12-round unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021 when he was 42 years old. His performance in that fight did not resemble the fighter who defeated Keith Thurman in his previous bout in 2019.
According to the Source boxingnews24.com