"I tried to fight until the finish line, but its difficult when you see your efforts collapse. That's fate, there's nothing you can do about it," unruffled Kauzer said after the London finals.

"It's true that the Olympics come only once every four years, but they are still a competition like any other. I am proud of all my achievements, including this one. It happens, also to the best."

The result comes as a disappointment after Kauzer staged a convincing performance in the semi-finals earlier today, reaching the course's best time despite a time penalty of two seconds.

Olympic gold was taken by Italy's Daniele Molmenti, who came ahead of Vavrinec Hradilek (Czech Republic) and Hannes Aigner (Germany).