SPORTS FACTS AND FIGURES 49: MANNY PACQUIAO'S OLYMPIC DREAM REJECTED BY IOC
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 22 Feb 2024
Manny Pacquiao was saddened and disappointed because of his dream of joining the Olympic boxing competition and the target of winning the gold medal was finished after the Filipino boxing icon was denied a slot for the 2024 Paris Games.
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The International Olympic Committee rejected a special request for Pacquiao to compete in this year's Olympic Games as announced by the Philippine Olympic Committee.
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The 45-year-old Pacquiao retired in 2021 before running unsuccessfully in the presidential elections. He said that he respected the decision of the IOC, which sets an age limit of 40 for Olympic boxers.
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“While I am very saddened and disappointed, I understand and accept the age-limit rules,” said a statement from Pacquiao, world champion in eight different weight divisions. He fought as a professional for more than 26 years.
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The Philippine Olympic Committee last year applied at the IOC for a “universality place” for Pacquiao, who has never participated in the Olympics. Universality places are usually awarded to athletes from smaller countries who struggle to secure slots in the Olympics if they undergo the normal qualification phases.
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Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino commented that the IOC decision would abate the Philippines' sure medal finish or first ever gold medal in Olympic boxing.
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Pacquiao said despite the failure, he will continue supporting and cheering for Filipino athletes taking part in the Paris Olympics. He also assured his fans that despite his retirement, he still wants to bring pride and honor to the country inside the boxing ring in the near future.
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NBA Records:
Most minutes per game average in a season: 48.52 by Wilt Chamberlain, 1961–62
Most triple-doubles, in a season: 42 by Russell Westbrook, 2016–17
Most consecutive triple-doubles: 11 by Russell Westbrook (January 22 – February 14, 2019), 2018–19
Only 50-50-100 in a season (minimum of 100 attempts): Tony Snell, 2020–21 while playing for Atlanta Hawks.
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Sports History: February 21, 2003. Michael Jordan becomes the first 40-year-old in NBA history to score 40 or more points, scoring 43 points in the Washington Wizards’ 89-86 win over the New Jersey Nets.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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