Thomas Fanara of France gets his Olympic start position

Thomas Fanara of France gets his Olympic start position{mosimage}PARIS (AP) – Thomas Fanara has been selected to ski for France at the Winter Olympics in Turin on the discretion of officials.

Fanara posted the best result for a French skier in giant slalom during this season’s World Cup — fifth place at Adelboden last month. He also finished 14th at Kranjska Gora in December.

However, his overall results did not meet selection criteria because he had not placed in the top 30 in a race four times over the past two seasons, or three times in one season.

But French Olympic committee president Henri Serandour intervened to include Fanara on the team.

Gauthier de Tessieres — originally selected for giant slalom — makes way for Fanara and switches to the super-G event.

”It’s really a great gesture on his behalf,” Fanara said. ”It shows a true sporting spirit.”

A total of 89 French athletes will take part in the Turin Games between Feb. 10-26.

-The Associated Press