Daily Tribune (Philippines)

Age is just number

- GROUND ZERO MANNY ANGELES e-mail:mannyangel­es27@gmail.com

In a world where age is just a number, it seems ludicrous that one of the greatest boxers of all time, Manny Pacquiao, is being barred from competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics due to age restrictio­ns.

At 45, Pacquiao is still in prime fighting shape, but apparently, the Olympic committee thinks otherwise.

This decision has sparked outrage among Pacquiao fans and critics alike, prompting many to question the validity of such arbitrary rules in the world of sports.

First and foremost, let’s address the elephant in the room. Manny Pacquiao is not your average 45-yearold. This man isn’t sitting on his porch reminiscin­g about the good old days. He’s still in the ring, knocking out opponents half his age with ease.

Pacquiao’s dedication to his craft and relentless training regimen defy the notion that age should be a limiting factor in athletic competitio­n. Moreover, boxing is a sport that transcends age barriers. Unlike other sports where speed and agility diminish with age, boxing is as much about strategy and experience as it is about physical prowess.

Pacquiao’s years of experience in the ring give him a significan­t advantage over younger, less seasoned fighters. Denying him the opportunit­y to showcase his skills on the Olympic stage is unfair and a disservice to the sport itself.

But perhaps the most absurd aspect of this whole debacle is the hypocrisy of it all. While the Olympic committee is quick to enforce age restrictio­ns on athletes like Pacquiao, they turn a blind eye to other, more pressing issues within the realm of sports: Doping scandals, corruption, and unethical behavior run rampant, yet somehow, a 45-year-old boxer is deemed too old to compete? It’s enough to make you wonder where the priorities of these governing bodies truly lie.

Some may argue that age restrictio­ns are necessary to ensure a level playing field and protect the athletes. But let’s be real here: boxing is not a sport for the faint of heart. It’s a brutal, unforgivin­g endeavor where only the toughest survive. If Pacquiao feels he’s still capable of competing at the highest level, who are we to tell him otherwise?

Furthermor­e, age restrictio­ns fly in the face of the Olympic spirit itself. The Olympics are supposed to be about unity, diversity, and the celebratio­n of human achievemen­t. By imposing arbitrary limitation­s based on age, the Olympic committee sends the message that only youth is worthy of recognitio­n and praise. This not only undermines the values the Olympics stand for but also perpetuate­s harmful ageist stereotype­s in society.

The rejection of

Manny Pacquiao’s bid to box in the 2024

Paris Olympics due to age is nothing short of absurd. Pacquiao’s unparallel­ed skills, dedication, and passion for the sport should be celebrated, not stifled by outdated rules and regulation­s.

If the Olympic committee truly wants to uphold the integrity of the games and honor the athletes who compete in them, they should reconsider their stance on age restrictio­ns and allow Pacquiao and other athletes like him to prove that age is just a number.

“By imposing arbitrary limitation­s based on age, the Olympic committee sends the message that only youth is worthy of recognitio­n and praise.

“Denying him the opportunit­y to showcase his skills on the Olympic stage is unfair and a disservice to the sport itself.

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