Italian ski champion Brignone will compete at home Olympics, named 1 of 4 flag-bearers

Italian Alpine ski champion Federica Brignone, who suffered a double leg fracture in April, will compete at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the head of Italy's Olympic committee said on Friday, adding that the athlete would be one of four Italian flag-bearers at the opening ceremony.

Brignone, the reigning World Cup overall champion, returned to the slopes in November, seven months after her injury at the Italian national championships had cast doubt on her participation at her home Olympics.

"Federica Brignone this morning told me that, based on latest tests, she will compete," Luciano Buonfiglio, the head of the Italian Olympic Committee, said during a press briefing.

The 35-year-old skier has never won an Olympic gold and said in October it would be her dream to compete at the Winter Games, which will run from February 6 to 22.

Regarding being named as one of the flag-bearers, Brignone said in a statement issued by the Italian Winter Sport Federation: "It's a dream come true. Since the day of the injury, it has been my motivation to fight and get back up."

The opening ceremony will be staged across different locations.

Brignone and mixed doubles curling Olympic champion Amos Mosaner will carry the Italian flag in the Alpine town of Cortina, where women's Alpine skiing events and curling competitions will be held.

Record-breaking short track speed skater Arianna Fontana and cross-country skier Federico Pellegrino will serve as flag-bearers in Milan.