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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Patrick Redford

Announcements

‘Only If You Get Caught’ Returns Next Week

This photograph taken on July 5, 2024, shows anti-doping testing kit materials displayed at the International Testing Agency (ITA) testing facility inside a truck at the finish line of the 7th stage of the 111th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 25,3 km individual time trial between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin. The overall leader yellow jersey rider and stage winner are systematically summoned to be tested for doping after the day's stage, along with any rider selected by ITA based on performance or intelligence from the organisation's investigative department. A chaperon escorts the rider to the facility where a supervised urine sample is collected for testing. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)

Cycling

Intensified Doping Investigations At Tour de France Threaten Cycling’s Delicate Balance

Canadian weightlifter Boady Santavy fails at an attempt to break the world record during the men snatch competition during the Enhanced Games at Resorts World Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 24, 2026. The first-ever Enhanced Games -- widely dubbed the "Steroid Olympics" -- took place Sunday in Las Vegas, where elite sprinters, swimmers and weightlifters will vie for world records while taking banned performance-enhancing drugs. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP)

Olympics

The Enhanced Games Were A Predictably Stupid Failure

Barry Petchesky

Marc Kennedy of Team Canada competes in the curling men's round robin between Canada and USA during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 13, 2026. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)

The Big Canada-Sweden Curling Beef, Explained

Boston, MA, 05/13/2019 -- Actress Felicity Huffman enters Federal Court. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

Podcasts

The Class Warfare Behind The Varsity Blues Saga

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 08: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after defeating the Washington Huskies during the 2024 CFP National Championship game at NRG Stadium on January 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Michigan defeated Washington 34-13. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

How Michigan’s Man On The Inside Got Caught

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Former first baseman Mark McGwire of the Oakland Athletics stands on the field during the team"u2019s Hall of Fame ceremony before the game against the Texas Rangers at the RingCentral Coliseum on September 21, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Texas Rangers 12-3. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

The Real Story Of Baseball’s Steroid Era Is A Labor Story

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates with her team after defeating the New York Liberty during Game Four of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on October 18, 2023 in New York City. The Aces defeated the Liberty 70-69. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Why WNBA Owners Cheated To Help Their Players

Is It Even Possible To Cheat On ‘The Bachelor’?

leader of the US Postal Service team, US Lance Armstrong, leaves the podium of 17th stage of the 89th Tour de France in Cluses, 25 July 2002. Italy's Dario Frigo of the Italian Tacconi Sport team won the stage and Armstrong, retains his yellow jersey. AFP PHOTO OLIVIER MORIN (Photo by OLIVIER MORIN / AFP)

Lance Armstrong And The Myth Of The Natural Body

US Chess grandmaster Hans Niemann speaks to the press in the run-up to the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk Aan Zee, on January 11, 2024. Niemann was previously accused of cheating by former world champion Norway's Magnus Carlsen, but the two have now ended their feud. (Photo by Olaf KRAAK / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT

Why Did The Magnus Vs. Hans Cheating Scandal Shake The Chess World So Much?

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 26: Daniel Naroditsky during Day 1 of the FIDE World Rapid Championship 2024 on December 26, 2024 in New York, NY. (Photo by Lennart Ootes/Getty Images)

Chess

Beloved Grandmaster Dies Suddenly Amid Harassment Campaign By His Former Idol

‘Only If You Get Caught’ Is One Week Away

Kelsey McKinney

C.J. Kayfus #63 of the Cleveland Guardians is hit by a pitch to force a walk-off to win the game between the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio