Indonesian shuttlers aiming to keep Olympic gold streak alive in Paris

 JAKARTA, 12 July (BelTA - ANTARA) - The Indonesian badminton team is determined to maintain its tradition of winning gold medals at the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris, said M. Fadil Imran, secretary general of national badminton association PP PBSI.

"If asked about targets, athletes and teams will try their best following the expectations of the Indonesian people," he added at a press conference at the PP PBSI Cipayung National Training Center, East Jakarta, on Thursday.

"I hope that there will be results that match expectations; at least the tradition of winning gold medals can be maintained," he said.

The Indonesian badminton team has also undergone a series of trainings and simulations to prepare for the upcoming quadrennial sporting event.

Trained by top badminton coaches, the Indonesian team is currently set to fly to Chambley-Bussières, France, for a pre-Olympics training camp.

"This is important because the Olympics are demanding not only physically, but also mentally and psychologically," Imran explained.

"I hope that athletes can be happy, comfortable, relaxed, and confident because we have worked hard for years," he added.

Earlier, Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo said that at the upcoming Olympics, Indonesia will be represented by 16 male athletes and 13 female athletes who will vie for medals in 12 sports, namely badminton, sports climbing, judo, archery, shooting, surfing, athletics, cycling, rowing, swimming, weightlifting, and gymnastics.

Badminton is the sport where Indonesia has been most consistent in winning Olympic gold.

Susi Susanti, Alan Budikusuma, Rexy Mainaky/Ricky Subagja, Tony Gunawan/Candra Wijaya, Taufik Hidayat, Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan, Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir, and Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu are badminton athletes who have won gold for the country at the Olympics.