Legendary Manny Pacquiao (boxer nicknamed Pacman) will not be allowed to attend the Olympics in Paris this summer because he is too old, after hanging up his gloves from 2021.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) on February 18 sent a letter to the Philippines informing them of their refusal to waive the Olympic age requirement with the following boxer over 40 years old in Pacquiao’s case.
In fact IOC increased the Olympic age for boxers from 34 years old to 40 years old in 2013 but firmly maintained this milestone even though the Philippines sent a special request for Pacquaio.
< p>The Philippines previously tried to lobby for Pacquiao to attend the Olympics because this country did not have many athletes qualified to attend the festival biggest sport on the planet.
Olympic spots are given to athletes from countries participate through the regular qualifying rounds on the continents. The IOC reserved 9 special places for boxing at the Paris Olympics (including 5 men and 4 women) confirmed on June 7.
The IOC said: “Special places are not allocated to Countries have an average of more than 8 athletes in each sport at the two most recent Olympics. Therefore, the Philippine Olympic Committee is not in the case of special consideration”.
Pacquiao’s boxing career ended in 2021 after 72 fights. The Philippine legend has won 12 championships amazing world with a championship record in 8 different weight classes, winning 62 out of 72 fights, including 39 knockout wins.
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