IOC Rejects Manny Pacquiao’s 2024 Paris Olympics Bid

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has been dealt a blow as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially rejects his bid to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The reason? The age limit.

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) received confirmation from the IOC that Pacquiao’s bid would not proceed. POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expressed disappointment, saying, “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.”

Pacquiao, who retired from professional boxing in 2021, expressed his desire to complete his storied career with an Olympic appearance. His illustrious 26-year journey in the ring left only one feat missing: a gold medal at the Olympics. Unfortunately, the IOC’s rules dictate that boxers must be under the age of 40 to compete. At 45 years old, Pacquiao falls outside this age bracket.

While the Summer Olympics won’t witness Pacquiao’s return to the ring, fans can still catch him in action. The recently-announced Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather rematch in Japan promises another thrilling showdown between these two boxing legends.