Chinese badminton head coach Li Yongbo to retire

Li Yongbo, who led the Chinese national badminton team to gold medal victory in six Olympic games, will step down as head coach, media reports said on Wednesday.

Fans have been calling for Li's retirement since China's sub-par performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where they won only two gold medals, the lowest number since 2000.

"After serving so many years in the post, I feel tired...and I've realised it is time to step back and give the younger generation the opportunity to use their new thinking to lead the team," Tengxun Sport quoted Li as saying.

He will be reassigned along with some other coaching staff to an advisory panel with the Chinese Olympic Committee, the report said.

The national team did not issue a statement on the move and did not respond to AFP's requests for confirmation.

During his 24-year tenure as head coach, Li saw China secure its position as the sport's most successful country, winning 18 Olympic gold medals as well as numerous international tournaments.