Di Centa selected as Italy's flag bearer

TURIN, Italy (AP) -Cross-country skier Giorgio Di Centa has been selected as Italy's flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Vancouver Olympics.

Di Centa won the gold medal in the prestigious 50-kilometer race and was also a member of Italy's team that won the 40-kilometer relay at the 2006 Turin Games. He took silver with the relay team at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.

Italian Olympic Committee president Giovanni Petrucci made the announcement Wednesday at a ceremony marking 100 days to the Feb. 12-28 games.