Lapierre crashes out of Olympic long jump

Leading Australian medal contender Fabrice Lapierre has finished a disappointing 10th in the men's long jump at the Rio Olympics.

The 2015 world championships silver medallist had just one legal jump of 7.87m to go with two fouls and was eliminated at the halfway cut in the final.

The first of Lapierre's fouls was a huge jump but it did not count as he over-stepped on the takeoff board.

Lapierre and defending 50km walk champion Jared Tallent were considered Australia's best gold-medal chances in the track and field competition in Rio.

Countryman Henry Frayne fared somewhat better than Lapierre, ending Saturday's competition in seventh spot with 8.06m.

Frayne has battled a string of injuries in recent years.

The gold medal went to American Jeff Henderson with 8.38m in the final round.

Luvo Manyonga from South Africa pocketed the silver with 8.37m and defending Olympic champion Greg Rutherford from Britain claimed the bronze with 8.29m.