We are removing 32 bit support from the Linux kernel because nobody uses that hardware anymore. Yet, this 16 bit version has commits from today.
Seriously, I haven't worked on this in a long time (I'm Chad) and I'm very impressed by the changelog! Wouldn't have ever thought it'd run DOOM. ;) (and the use of OS/2 for medium model is clever too)
And for sure the 2nd and 3rd world use 32 bit devices.
But a small band of hobbyists use old OSes with old machines.