China coach Li calls for calm after Rio blow

2016 Rio Olympics - Badminton - Men's Singles - Victory Ceremony - Riocentro - Pavilion 4 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 20/08/2016. Gold medallist Chen Long (CHN) of China poses with his coach Li Yongbo. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters): China's failure to defend three of its badminton titles at the Rio Games was a shock for a nation used to dominating the Olympic courts but head coach Li Yongbo called for calm amid a storm of criticism.

Four years after winning all five titles at London, China grabbed two gold medals and a bronze to top the medals table, but it was their lowest haul at an Olympics for 20 years.