Park set to become an Olympian

South Korea hoping to call up United winger

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 22nd April 2008

Park set to become an Olympian

Park: Heading to Beijing

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Park Ji-Sung will be called up as an over-age player to represent South Korea at the Beijing Olympics.

The tournament is for players under the age of 23, but each country is allowed to include three players over that age within their squad.

The coach of the South Korean national side is keen to have as many of his European-based stars available as possible, and admits that Manchester United winger Park sits at the top of that list.

"The coaching staff has decided to pick Park as a wild card," Park Sung-hwa told the Yonhap news agency.

"Now it's up to the willingness of the player himself and the decision of the team."

Park could be joined in the Olympic squad by Fulham's Seol Ki-hyeon and Tottenham's Lee Young-pyo.

Having been placed in a tough group alongside Italy, Cameroon and Honduras, the head of the Korea Football Association Chung Mong-joon revealed that he will be doing all he can to persuade the Premier League stars to participate.

"I will initiate talks with Premier League teams so the best players, such as Park, can play in the Olympics," he said.