I haven’t announced retirement yet: Mary Kom clarifies, says age limit doesn’t allow Olympics participation

Legendary Indian boxer Mary Kom said on Thursday, January 25 that she hasn’t announced retirement, refuting reports and clarifying the statement she made at a public event on Wednesday.

Mary Kom said she highlighted that her age limit doesn’t allow her to participate in the Olympics. Mary Kom was quoted as saying by a news agency that she was forced to quit the sport due to her age limit despite her desire to compete at the highest level during an event on Wednesday. However, the 41-year-old said she was “misquoted” and that she was still focusing on her fitness to keep competing.

“Dear Friends from media, I haven’t announced retirement yet and I have been misquoted. I will personally come in front of media whenever I want to announce it,” Mary Kom said in a statement.

“I have gone through some media reports stating that I have announced retirement and this is not true.

“I was attending a school in event in Dibrugarh on 24 January 2024 wherein I was motivating children and I said “I still have hunger to achieve in sports but age limit in Olympics doesn’t allow me to participate though i can carry on with my sport. I am still focusing on my fitness and whenever I will announce retirement I will inform everyone.”