Russian Athlete Who Exposed Doping Scandal Appeals Banning Decision
DENVER (CBS4) - More than 80 athletes from the Russian Olympic team have been barred from the Rio Games because of the country's doping scandal. That includes a track star who played a major role in exposing that scandal.
Yuliya Stepanova's role was earlier detailed in the CBS News program 60 Minutes. She has been hailed for her undercover role in exposing the doping in the Russian track and field program and had hoped to compete in the Olympics under the Russian or a neutral flag. She is a standout in the 800 meters event.
In June CBS4's Rick Sallinger spoke with Yuliya Stepanova and her husband while they were in hiding.
"How important is it for you to be able to compete?" Sallinger asked.
"It's important because I love running and competing," Yuliya Stepanova replied to Sallinger through a translator.
She was banned after the International Olympic Committee ruled that any Russian athlete who had doped in the past would not be allowed to compete. She had doped, but then with her husband revealed the Russian program.
Vitaly Stepanov used to work with the Russian anti-doping program.
"Did you feel you were taking a risk to your life?" Sallinger asked him.
"We felt there was a huge chance that the Russian athletic situation, the Sports Ministry. will not like our intentions for uncovering the doping system," Vitaly Stepanov replied.
Russia's entire track and field team has been banned from the Rio Olympics. On Sunday the International Olympic Committee decided not to bar the entire Russian Olympic team, but only those who with a history of doping.
Travis Tygart heads the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency based in Colorado Springs. He did not like the IOC decision.
"I think it is a significant blow to the rights clean athletes and to the integrity of Olympic sports … and millions of clean athletes around the world are disappointed in the outcome," Tygart said. "We have to win this fight, those that love the Olympic values."
Yuliya Stepanova and her husband have been invited to attend the Olympics as spectators, but that's not what they want and want the decision banning her from competition to be overturned.
With little time left before the Olympics are to begin in Rio, Yuliya Stepanova is hoping her appeal will succeed.
CBS4's Rick Sallinger is a Peabody award winning reporter who has been with the station more than two decades doing hard news and investigative reporting. Follow him on Twitter @ricksallinger.
