MANNY Pacquaio will not be competing at Paris 2024, after the International Olympic Committee upheld their rule on the age limit.
Pacman, who hung up his gloves in 2021, had aspirations of competing at this year’s Games at the age of 45.
The boxing event is set to be held at the illustrious Roland Garros tennis complex.
But the Philippines legend won’t be there due to a little known ruling.
The IOC, which oversees Olympic boxing after de-recognising the International Boxing Association governing body, confirmed on Sunday that they wrote to Olympic officials in Philippines explaining the age limit for boxers will stay at 40 years old.
The age limit was raised from 34 to 40 back in 2013.
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That would have allowed Pacquiao to compete at Rio 2016, although he chose to be a senator in his homeland instead.
Although it was believed he wanted to try and win a medal at Paris 2024, it was unclear if Pacquiao would have tried to fight at the qualifiers that start this month in Italy and conclude in Thailand in May.
Reports suggested the Philippines Olympic body were keen to get Pacquiao in as a “universality” entry.
These are free passes, effectively, that are allotted to countries with fewer athletes at the Games and struggle to have others qualify on merit.
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However, past sporting success for the Philippines has meant that request wasn’t granted.
“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,” the IOC said.
“This is the case for the Philippine Olympic Committee.”
Pacquaio’s remarkable career came to an end in 2021, after 72 fights.
He won a staggering 12 world titles at a record eight different weight divisions.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
