Wladimir Klitschko could take one more shot at Olympic gold

Ukrainian boxing officials say they have not ruled out the possibility that heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko might represent their country at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Klitschko, the super heavyweight champion at the 1996 Atlanta Games, recently suggested that he might like to bookend his career with another shot at gold.

International rules allow for big-time professional boxers to return to Olympic competition under certain circumstances.

The Ukraine Boxing Federation released a statement saying that in order to begin the process Klitschko would have to “terminate his existing professional contracts.” He would also have to qualify through the approved international events.

Last year, the International Boxing Assn. raised the age limit for Olympic competition to 40. Klitschko would celebrate his 40th birthday about four months before the Rio Games.