India, Jan. 29 -- A total of 13 Russian athletes are now set to compete as neutral individuals at the Milan Cortina Olympics after invitations from the IOC were confirmed Tuesday for Alpine skiers and lugers.

Four years ago, the Russian team was more than 200 athletes at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, which closed four days before Russia's full military invasion of Ukraine which led to its exclusion from much of international sports.

Seven Belarusian athletes have now been invited to the Winter Games that open next week on Feb. 6. The Russians and Belarusians will not have their national identity of team colors, flag or anthem and cannot take part in the opening ceremony athlete parades.

Neutral status can be approved by the Internatio...