China's failure to defend three of its badminton titles at the Rio Games was a shock for a nation accustomed to dominating the Olympic courts, but head coach Li Yongbo called for calm amid the storm of criticism.

Four years after winning all five titles at the London Games, China grabbed two golds and a bronze to top the Rio medals table, but it was the nation's lowest haul at an Olympics for 20 years.

With teams restricted to two entrants in the singles, down from three in London, the badminton superpower had fewer chances to win medals.