Why was boxing legend Manny Pacquiao barred from entering Paris 2024 Olympics?
Considered one of the greatest boxers in History , the Filipino star has ironically never graced the summer Game s with his presence. Indeed, that seems to be something he was hoping to remedy, but sadly that won’t be the case. IOC denies Manny Pacquiao exemption According to reports, Manny Pacquiao, a former boxing world champion in eight weight classes, has been barred from competing at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Though he has in fact been retired since 2021, Pacquiao was hopeful of competing at 45 years old in the upcoming games in Paris. This brings us to the response of the International Olympic Committee, which sent a letter to the Philippines denying an exemption to the rule that sets the age limit for boxers at 40. For context, the limit was increased from 34 back in 2013. As per reports, the Filipino federation had requested a “universality” entry, an Olympic entry that is granted directly to countries on the basis of having insufficient athletes in the games. According to rel...