Two-time Olympic champion Tony Estanguet of France failed to qualify for the Olympic canoeing slalom men's canoe single (C1) on Tuesday, ending his bid for an unprecedented third straight Olympic gold in Beijing.

Estanguet, who won Olympic golds in Sydney and Athens, finished in a disappointing 9th in the semifinal. The top eight qualify for the final.

The 30-year-old finished the course in 93.92 seconds after being given a two-second penalty for touching a gate. He posted a 6th place among all 16 competitors in the heat on Monday, showing an out-of-form on what many claimed the most difficult slalom course in the world.

His archrival Michal Martikan of Slovakia, who took two silvers in Sydney and Athens, won the semifinal in 88.92 seconds despite a two-second penalty.

Yves Narduzzi, coach of Estanguet, said on Monday: "The course is very tough. Tony didn't do well in the first run and he was quite upset."

(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2008)