Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) — The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has written to the governing body of the Olympics for the possible inclusion of Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao in the Paris Games next year.
POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Sunday said he sent the request to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) before he left Hangzhou, China where the 19th Asian Games were recently held.
“October talaga ang pag-submit ng appeal [The submission of appeals is really in October]. We just emailed the IOC on that issue…if he will be allowed to bid one of the universality (places),” Tolentino told reporters in the Philippines.
The 44-year-old world champion can be given a Paris Games berth under the universality places rule, which helps athletes from countries that have difficulty securing a slot through normal qualification channels. The IOC has allocated nine slots for boxing — five for women and four for men.
Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines Secretary-General Marcus Manalo said Pacquiao’s bid is hindered by an age limit in the Olympic qualifiers.
“The age limit is set by the Paris boxing unit. It has always been 19 to 40,” Marcus said.
“I don’t know if there will be exemption for this, but siguro pwedeng i-challenge ‘yung [perhaps we can challenge the] reasoning behind 40, because he could be more conditioned than, you know, boxers younger than his age,” he added.
Despite being over the age limit, Pacquiao is hopeful that it is not too late to achieve his Olympic gold, a long-time dream of the fighter and former lawmaker.
Pacquiao, the only boxer to conquer eight weight divisions, announced his retirement from professional boxing in September 2021. The news came a little over a week before he formalized his unsuccessful presidential bid in 2022.
He had said he would only take part in exhibition bouts.
“I believe that age is not a barrier to fulfill our dreams. A clear heart and mind always finds its way to realize our dreams,” the boxer said Monday evening. “I believe that it is not too late to fulfill my dream of bringing home a boxing gold medal from the Olympics for the Philippines.”
