Russia's Track Team Banned From The 2016 Rio Olympics After Doping Program Exposed

VIENNA (CBS4) - It's being called a landmark decision: Russia's track team has been banned from the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Now the couple who helped take them down is telling their story.

The doping program was exposed in part by a Russian couple who told CBS4 Investigator Rick Sallinger why they turned in their teammates.

Yulia Stepanova and her husband Vitaly welcomed the decision to ban the team from the Olympics.

"If that's what it takes to make real changes in Russian athletics, in Russian sports ... then it is the right decision," said Vitaly.

Vitaly worked for the Russian Anti-Doping Program. His wife was a star runner who was directed to use performance-enhancing drugs.

She turned the tables by taking secret videos documenting the Russian doping program.

Yulia may still be able to compete in Rio but as an independent athlete.

"As of now I am suspended and I am not able to compete anywhere," said Yulia.

She and her husband previously told 60 Minutes how Russian athletes won medals in Sochi fueled by banned drugs. Now the international governing body for track and field has taken harsh action.

"It's good that the international athletic community is showing that if you break the rules, no matter how big you are, you will be punished," said Vitaly.

For the couple's actions, they have paid a price. They live in a small apartment in a place they asked CBS4 not to disclose.

When asked how it felt that their actions brought down such a big power, Vitaly replied, "Not that mighty if we were able to take it down."