French swimmer Yannick Agnel could miss out on Olympics

MONTPELLIER, France (AP) French swimmer Yannick Agnel is unlikely to defend his 200-meter freestyle Olympic title after a timing controversy ruled him out of contention.

Agnel posted the third best time at the French championships on Wednesday behind Jeremy Stravius and Jordan Pothain, although TV images appeared to show that he touched the wall in second.

Agnel's coach, Lionel Horter, launched a protest which was dismissed by the race jury. Agnel is now expected to appeal the result to the French Olympic committee.

Neither Starvius nor Pothain managed to clock the minimum time of 1 minute, 46.06 seconds set by the French federation for automatic Olympic selection but the first two swimmers can still make the cut through their placings.