Slovak canoeist in slalom racing Michal Martikan said on Sunday that he has made long-time preparations for Beijing Olympics and is hoping to win the highest title in the race in mid-August.

Martikan said that he did not participate in this year's World Cup in an attempt to show his best shape in Shunyi Olympic Canoeing-Kayaking Park.

"It was not possible to go to the World Cup and prepare for Beijing Olympics at the same time for me. So I chose to prepare for the Games," said the Slovak athlete who just arrived in Beijing on Saturday.

He practiced in the water course for one hour before coming ashore for an interview.

"It is one of the hardest courses. There is so much water in the course. The drop is quite high and there are so many gates and obstacles there," the 29-year-old commented on the water course in in the park, the competition venue for canoeing and kayaking in Beijing Olympics.

Martikan won the gold medal in C1 slalom in Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and went back home from Sydney and Athens Games with two silver medals. He has claimed the highest title in many World Championships and World Cup contests.

He said that he would try his best to go as fast as he can in the race. "My dream is to get the gold medal," he said.

On the training each day in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics, he said that two weeks is enough for him to get used to the water course although it is so much different from others.

(Xinhua News Agency July 28, 2008)