Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has expressed an interest in representing the Dutch U-23 side in Beijing if they qualify for the 2008 Olympics.

"Ruud (van Nistelrooy) told me he really wants to go to the Olympics with the under-23 team," Charles Van Commenee, technical director of the Dutch Olympic committee, told reporters. "Playing at the Olympics has always been Ruud's dream." Teams are allowed to field three over-age players at the Games.

Van Nistelrooy, 30, was dropped from the Dutch senior squad after the World Cup finals in Germany and the disaffected striker declined a call-up when asked to replace the injured Klaas-Jan Huntelaar earlier this month.

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