Manny Pacquiao chases Olympic dreams

MANNY Pacquiao, the face of Philippine boxing and one of the most recognizable figures in the sport, is looking for ways to qualify for the 2024 Olympics. 

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) formally requested a “universality place” for the Filipino boxer with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The POC’s “special request” to the IOC is that Pacquiao be permitted to compete in the Paris Games despite the fact that the former world champion is over the tournament’s age restriction.

Athletes from countries that struggle to earn Olympic spots through standard qualification routes are allocated universality spots. According to the IOC, there are nine universality places for boxing in Paris, five for women and four for men.

Pacquiao is 44 years old and stepped away from professional boxing in 2021 to focus on his presidential bid in the Philippines. Olympic boxers, on the other hand, have a maximum age of 40 to qualify.

Pacquiao began his professional career when he was only 17 years old. The former senator has a professional record of 62-8-2 but has never competed in the Olympics.

“I am grateful to the Philippine Olympic Committee under the leadership of Abraham Tolentino for making a recommendation to the IOC to process my eligibility to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games,’’ Pacquiao said in a statement. 

“I believe that age is not a barrier to [fulfilling] our dreams. A clear heart and mind always finds its way to realize our dreams,” he added.

Pacquiao said he believes that “it is not too late to fulfill my dream of bringing home a boxing gold medal from the Olympics for the Philippines.’’

Will Pacquiao fulfill his dream of playing for the Philippines at the Olympics? Please leave us your thoughts.