The Philippine Olympic Committee is keeping its fingers crossed, hoping that the International Olympic Committee will allow eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao to see action in the Paris Olympics.
POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said they haven’t gotten any word from the IOC about their special request to allow the 46-year-old boxing icon to represent the Philippines in the Summer Games set from 26 July to 11 August.
“The final decision in our most recent letter will be around March or April. We have no choice but to wait,” Tolentino said.
“But if they approve it around March or April, he still has around two months to train in June to July. Pwede pa. So far, they haven’t turned us down. So the chances are still there. We’re still waiting for it.”
If given an exemption, Pacquiao would need to book his Olympic spot through one of two qualification tournaments set in Italy and Thailand.
Another route for Pacquiao is via a universality place from the IOC, which are normally reserved for countries whose boxers struggle to qualify.
The Olympic gold medal is the only one missing in Pacquiao’s collection of accolades after winning world titles in the flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight divisions.
He has a record of 62 wins and eight defeats, including his final bout with Yordenis Ugas for the World Boxing Association super welterweight title in 2021.
But the road to the Olympics is littered with blockades.
For one, he has to compete as an amateur, which has a different set of rules and style of play than what he was used to in the professional ranks. Also, he is already way past the maximum age limit of 40 years old.
In its special request to the IOC, the POC stressed that he remains physically fit despite taking a long break from competitive play following his stint as a Senator and a failed bid for the presidency.
The POC said allowing Pacquiao to see action will be “a shot in the arm” to the IOC as it adds glamor and prestige to the biggest and most competitive athletic conclave in the world.
“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,” said Pacquiao in a statement that formalized his intention to see action in the Olympics.
“I believe it is not too late to fulfill my dream of bringing home a boxing gold medal from the Olympics for the Philippines.”
