KUALA LUMPUR: Chef De Mission Datuk Hamidin Amin has told BAM's shuttlers to first focus on getting into the quarter-finals at the Paris Olympics from July 26-Aug 11.
Hamidin, who is also the Olympic Council of Malaysia deputy president, spent three days with BAM players at their training base in Aire-sur-la-Lys, France, last week.
The BAM shuttlers in Aire-sur-la-Lys, are men's pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, women's pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and mixed doubles Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.
Separately, independent shuttlers Lee Zii Jia and Goh Jin Wei travelled to Paris.
From Hamidin's observation, he believes they are ready for the challenge of winning Malaysia's first-ever gold medal at the Olympics.
Hamidin held separate meetings with BAM coaches and players to discuss the target that has been set for them.
"I told them yes, we want the gold medal, that is the target. But more importantly let them focus on getting into the quarter-finals first as they have to go through the group stage (before the knockout rounds).
"Only after that, they should think about moving to the semis and final.
"I fear if they immediately think about becoming champions, that will be too heavy a burden for them to carry," said Hamidin today.