Buenos Aires, Mar 25 (IANS): Argentina basketball coach Sergio Hernandez confirmed that San Antonio Spurs star Emanuel Ginobili will be available for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August.

"It is a very brave decision and at the same time it is the right decision from my point of view. He can end his career with the national team by playing in Olympics. It is one of the most important news for Argentinian sport. Ginobili is an emblem. Welcome Manu (Ginobili's nickname). Enjoy it," said Hernandez on Thursday, reports Xinhua.

The gold medal winner in Athens 2004 and bronze medal winner in Beijing 2008, did not participate in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Mexico last September where Argentina secured their pass to the 2016 Olympics.

Apart from the Olympic medals, Ginobili, with Argentina, won the Americas Championship in 2001 and 2011. He was also part of the team that finished second in the 2002 World Championships.