Manny Pacquiao determined to compete in 2024 Olympics: ‘Age is not a barrier to fulfill our dreams’ | ABS-CBN
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Manny Pacquiao determined to compete in 2024 Olympics: ‘Age is not a barrier to fulfill our dreams’
Manny Pacquiao determined to compete in 2024 Olympics: ‘Age is not a barrier to fulfill our dreams’
Toff C.
Published Oct 10, 2023 02:04 PM PHT
"I believe that age is not a barrier to fulfill our dreams."
"I believe that age is not a barrier to fulfill our dreams."
These were the words of world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao as he highlighted his aspiration to represent the Philippines and compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
These were the words of world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao as he highlighted his aspiration to represent the Philippines and compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
According to a report by ABS-CBN News, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has officially communicated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) concerning the eligibility of the eight-division world champion.
According to a report by ABS-CBN News, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has officially communicated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) concerning the eligibility of the eight-division world champion.
"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," Manny said in a statement.
"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," Manny said in a statement.
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He added: "A clear heart and mind always finds its way to realize our dreams. I believe it is not too late to fulfill my dream of bringing home a boxing gold medal from the Olympics for the Philippines."
He added: "A clear heart and mind always finds its way to realize our dreams. I believe it is not too late to fulfill my dream of bringing home a boxing gold medal from the Olympics for the Philippines."
POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino has confirmed that they've sent a formal letter of request to the IOC, seeking Manny's eligibility to compete under the "universality rule."
POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino has confirmed that they've sent a formal letter of request to the IOC, seeking Manny's eligibility to compete under the "universality rule."
This rule allows athletes or teams from countries or regions not meeting standard qualifications to compete based on specific criteria, including performance and commitment.
This rule allows athletes or teams from countries or regions not meeting standard qualifications to compete based on specific criteria, including performance and commitment.
The POC has pursued this route for Manny, as he has already reached the age of 44 and is no longer eligible for Olympic qualifiers, which have a maximum age limit of 40 years.
The POC has pursued this route for Manny, as he has already reached the age of 44 and is no longer eligible for Olympic qualifiers, which have a maximum age limit of 40 years.
The IOC has allocated a total of nine universality slots for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with five designated for women and four for men, to be distributed among eligible national Olympic committees.
The IOC has allocated a total of nine universality slots for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with five designated for women and four for men, to be distributed among eligible national Olympic committees.
For Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines secretary general Marcus Manalo, the presence of Manny in the Olympics will be beneficial for boxing in general.
For Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines secretary general Marcus Manalo, the presence of Manny in the Olympics will be beneficial for boxing in general.
"If it gets approved that would be extremely beneficial for us. Presence palang ni Sen. Pacquiao wil be a big boost to the team, bukod pa yan sa medal chances. It will be good for the sport, I hope the IOC considers that that you have an 8-division world champion who still wants to compete at the Olympics," he stated.
"If it gets approved that would be extremely beneficial for us. Presence palang ni Sen. Pacquiao wil be a big boost to the team, bukod pa yan sa medal chances. It will be good for the sport, I hope the IOC considers that that you have an 8-division world champion who still wants to compete at the Olympics," he stated.
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