For Vitaly Stepanov, the decision from the International Association of Athletics Federations to extend a ban of Russia that will keep his home country out of the Rio Olympics was bittersweet.
In the same decision that closed the door to Russian track and field athletes competing under their flag at the Games, the IAAF also created a path for Yulia Stepanova, Vitaly’s wife and a Russian runner, to return to international competition.
But without an assurance that her eligibility has been restored, Vitaly Stepanov remained cautious. He and his wife had not gone down the path to being whistleblowers to value Yulia’s athletic career above all else.