Beijing, China, August 4, 2008 - The Australian men's and women's Beach Volleyball teams said Monday that they both aim to bring medals home ahead of the kickoff of the Beijing tournament.

"We are here to win a medal for Australia, I have worked out through 16 years to be in a position to do so," said Natalie Cook, the gold medalist in Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Starting her beach volleyball career in 2003, Cook is a four-time Olympian rich in experience and competing skills.

After teaming up with Tamsin Barnett last year, Cook said the 18-month period was not long for her and her new partner to try to understand each other and build chemistry.

Barnett, 28, played for Australia's Volleyball team in Sydney Olympics.

Cook said the duo's encounter with third-ranked Juniana/Larissa of Brazil next Wednesday would be a test for them.

The Brazilian tandem have been among the world's top three for a long time and are very skillful with a lot of ball control, Cook said, adding that her team had a good head-to-head record, which could relieve the pressure.

Joshua Slack, who is paired with Andrew Schacht for the Australian men's tandem, said that they are looking forward to capturing a medal in Beijing.

"We got bronze medal at last year's World Championship and another bronze during the World Tour in Poland this year. We are one of the best teams in the world and are very confident," said Slack.

Speaking of the fifth-ranked Chinese tandem Wu Penggen/Xu Linyin, Slack said the duo are a fairly good match as both of them are tall and athletic.

"We aim to win every game we play, and are here to bring home a medal for Australia," he added.

At the Athens Games, Cook, pairing with Nicole Sanderson, missed the bronze medal after losing to Americans Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs.