Football
Dan Kilpatrick, Tottenham Correspondent 8y

Son Heung-Min keen to play in the Olympics but awaiting Spurs' decision

LONDON -- South Korea forward Son Heung-Min says he would like to play in this summer's Olympic Games but insists Tottenham are yet decide if they will release him for the tournament.

Korea's head coach Uli Stielike said he had agreed not to select Son for the March internationals in order to boost Tottenham's Premier League title bid, but only in the hope Spurs would release Son for the summer Olympics in Rio in return.

Olympic squads are restricted to players aged under 23, with three overage wildcards, and South Korea will need Tottenham's permission to pick Son, who turns 24 in July, because the Olympic tournament is not part of FIFA's international match calendar.

South Korea's first match is against Fiji on Aug. 4 and, if selected, Son could be unavailable until Aug. 20 which would see him miss a significant chunk of preseason and the start of next term.

However, athletes who earn an Olympic medal are exempt from South Korea's mandatory two-year military service -- obligatory for all citizens -- which could be beneficial to Tottenham in the future.

Asked about the prospect of playing in Rio, Son told reporters: "I can't say now anything about this. We're still waiting for the decision so I can't say anything."

Spurs confirmed to ESPN FC that discussions are ongoing but said no decision has yet been made, despite Son's desire to travel to Rio de Janeiro.

"Why not [play]? It's a very nice tournament and competition and every player wants to go to play there," he added. "I've played in the World Cup and Asian Cup and I haven't played in the Olympics. We'll see what happens."

Son, a £22 million summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen, has struggled to adjust to the pace of the Premier League this season but showed flashes of brilliance, including two goals in Spurs' last two games against Chelsea and Southampton.

The 23-year-old says he is still working to get to full fitness and admits the Premier League has been tougher than he expected.

"This season, I think [I've been] a little bit unlucky," he said. "I started very well, got injured and then getting fit took a long time. I'm still getting to 100 percent. I'm very happy because I enjoyed this one year in Tottenham. We played for the title. I enjoyed it.

"I think it [the Premier League] is harder than what I thought. Everyone in the world talks about the English Premier League. It's not easy but I play with my body and I can feel how important it is to get 100 percent fit to play. This is an important thing to play in the Premier League. We talked and played this season very well and we're a little bit unlucky not to get the title.

"It's not finished -- we have a very important last game. But still, I learn something in English football. This is the first year for me but still I've enjoyed the year with Tottenham. In my first season we played for the title -- this was unbelievable for me. I still have to learn some things.

"Two goals in two games is not bad. I'm still disappointed with the two games because against Chelsea we drew and we play very well and [against Southampton] also we lost. I'm a little bit happy but disappointed, as I think bigger."

Son boasts Champions League experience from his time in Germany and he is looking forward to a return to the competition, after Sunday's results left Spurs guaranteed a top three finish and entry to the competition's group stage.

"Every player's dream is to play Champions League and the World Cup," he added. "For me it's a dream to play Champions League -- and the music makes me really happy! This is a dream to play.

"It's not an easy competition and we have to look forward, we have to work very hard. There are very many good teams in the world. We have to be very focused, very ready for the Champions League next season."

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