Champion Borzakovskiy out in 800m semi-finals

BEIJING (Reuters) - Athens champion Yuriy Borzakovskiy failed to qualify for Saturday's final of the men's Olympics 800 meters as he and several other heavily fancied athletes produced sluggish performances on Thursday.

Russia's Borzakovskiy was outsprinted on the final stretch to finish third in his heat and was 15th overall, while Sudanese teenager Abubaker Kaki, who holds the fastest time in the world this year, was never a factor and finished last in his heat.

Kaki posted the slowest time of the 24 athletes seeking a place in the final.

South Africa's Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, another gold medal contender, also failed to advance when he finished sixth and completely out of contention in his heat.

Kenya's Wilfred Bungei, the 2006 indoor world champion, advanced easily as he maintained top finishing speed while compatriot Alfred Kirwa Yego also qualified for the final.

Kenyan-born Yusuf Saad Kamel of Bahrain, third at this year's indoor world championship, also advanced, making him one of the top medal contenders despite his relative inexperience in championship events.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)