The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recently denied the bid of eight-division boxing world champion, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, to compete in the Paris Olympics. The decision comes in response to the appeal made by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to allow Pacquiao to fight in the Games.
According to the IOC, Pacquiao is ineligible to participate in the Olympics due to his age. The committee strictly enforces an age limit of 40 years, and Pacquiao is currently five years above this limit. POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expressed disappointment, stating, “Too bad our beloved boxing icon is disqualified because of his age and that everyone needs to go through qualifiers, in all sports, to be able to participate in Paris.”
James McLeod, the IOC director for National Olympic Committee Relations, responded to the POC’s request, emphasizing that the only valid boxing qualification system for Paris 2024 is the one approved by the IOC Executive Board in September 2022. This system, which was published and distributed to National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and boxing national federations on December 6, 2022, includes the age limit of 40.
Although there is a Universality rule that could potentially allow Pacquiao to qualify for the Olympics, this option has also been ruled out. The Universality rule exception cannot apply to NOCs with an average of more than eight athletes in individual sports/disciplines at the last two editions of the Games. The Philippines, having sent 13 athletes to the 2016 Rio Games and 19 athletes to the 2020 Tokyo Games, had an average of 16 athletes in the last two Olympiads, making them ineligible for the Universality rule.
As of now, only four Filipino athletes have qualified for the Paris Games. The first qualifier was world No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, followed by gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, and boxer Eumir Marcial. Marcial secured his spot in the Olympics by being a finalist in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, where he finished with a silver medal. The Hangzhou Asiad served as a qualifying event for the Paris Games.
While Pacquiao’s bid to compete in the Paris Olympics has been denied, the Philippines will still be represented by a talented group of athletes. Obiena, Yulo, Finnegan, and Marcial will be aiming to make their country proud and bring home medals from the prestigious sporting event.
It is unfortunate that Pacquiao’s age prevents him from participating in the Olympics, but the IOC’s decision reflects the importance of adhering to the established rules and regulations of the Games. As the countdown to the Paris Olympics continues, sports enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the remarkable performances and inspiring stories that will unfold on the grand stage of international competition.
Source: The Manila Times
