At 45, Manny Pacquiao Dreams of Olympic Gold
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao recently expressed his disappointment after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) denied his petition to compete in the Paris Olympics. Pacquiao, who has won world championships in eight divisions as a professional boxer, has always harbored a dream of representing his country in the Olympics and going for the coveted gold medal.
Despite the IOC age limit for boxing set at 40, Pacquiao, now 45, had hoped to participate in the Olympics. The IOC had previously allowed professionals to compete in the Games since 2016, but Pacquiao’s request was denied. Filipino pro boxer Eumir Marcial has already qualified for the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
While many believed Pacquiao’s Olympic bid would have been newsworthy, others questioned the benefits of his participation. Some pointed out that Pacquiao is already one of the most decorated and famous Filipino athletes in history.
During a recent awards night, Pacquiao shared an inspiring message with fellow athletes, urging them to excel with discipline, hard work, and dedication. He also teased plans to transform the next awards night into a local version of the Grammys, where athletes from various sports would be recognized. Pacquiao even mentioned his willingness to take on challenges in chess, billiards, and basketball.
Despite the setback of not being able to compete in the Olympics, Pacquiao continues to inspire and motivate both aspiring and seasoned athletes alike.
