Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson was thrilled after receiving a call-up to the Australian Olympic squad as one of three over-age players.
Thompson, along with midfielder David Carney and defender Jade North, were selected on Friday as the three players aged over 23 to represent Australia at next month's Beijing Olympics.
The 29-year-old has already represented Australia at the 2006 World Cup and the 2007 Asian Cup and will now get his chance to play for his country at the Olympics.
"It was a big surprise to be an over-age player when there are only three spots and I'm sure a number of over-age players would've jumped at the opportunity," Thompson said.
"I was part of the Olympic squad when I was a young chap for the 2000 Games and I only managed to be on standby there, which I was just devastated with."
"I didn't think another opportunity would come along and when Arnie (coach Graham Arnold) mentioned the Olympics to me and a lot of the over-age players, I jumped at the chance to be involved."
"When he (Arnold) gave me a call and said you're an Olympian I was absolutely over the moon."
Thompson is only now starting to regain full fitness after suffering a knee injury during the Victory's unsuccessful AFC Champions League campaign earlier this year.
But now that he has been selected in the Olympic squad, Thompson is keen to get as much match practice under his belt as he can, so he can help Australia win a medal in Beijing.
"I remember hearing a long-distance runner, he was going to the Olympics and saying that he was at the peak of his form and was definitely hoping to be a top 10 finisher," Thompson said.
"And I was thinking why would you want to be top 10, wouldn't you want to be top three?"
"That's what I want from the Olympics and I hope the younger boys in the team are thinking that too."
"You go there for a medal, not just to finish in the top five or top 10."
Victory team-mate Billy Celeski was also selected in the squad, meaning the duo will miss the opening A-League match of the season against Sydney FC on August 16.