BUENOS AIRES, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Sergio Hernandez, coach of Argentina's national basketball team, confirmed on Thursday that San Antonio Spurs star Emanuel Ginobili will be available for the Olympic Games 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 buy playing in an Olympic Games," said Hernandez on Thursday.@ "It is one of the most important news for Argentinian sport today. Ginobili is an emblem. Welcome Manu (Ginobili's nickname). Enjoy it," added Hernandez.

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 FIBA Americas Championship in 2001 and 2011. He also was part of the team that came in second place din the world championships in 2002.