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Defector

Patrick Redford

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

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)

Podcasts

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

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

Accredited media motorcycles and race direction vehicles precede the pack of riders (peloton) as they cycle during the 14th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 182.6 km between Pau and Luchon-Superbagneres, in the Pyrenees mountains of southwestern France, on July 19, 2025.

Media Meltdowns

An Anatomy Of The Doping Story That Has The Tour de France Press Room Buzzing

Giri Nathan

Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates victory over Australia's Alex De Minaur after their men's singles quarter-final match on day eleven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2025. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP) /

Tennis

WADA’s Doping Ban Settlement With Jannik Sinner Creates More Questions Than Answers

Iga Swiatek of Poland in action against Varvara Gracheva of France in the second round on Day 4 of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 14, 2024 in Mason, Ohio

Iga Swiatek Suspended After Testing Positive For Banned Substance

After Beating The Case, Jannik Sinner Beat The Field

MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 17: Jannik Sinner of Italy hits a forehand against Andrey Rublev of Russia in the quarter finals of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 17, 2024 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Frey/TPN/Getty Images)

Jannik Sinner Has The Resources To Take A Doping Violation With Dignity

COL DE LA COUILLOLE, FRANCE - JULY 20: Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - Yellow Leader Jersey celebrates at finish line as stage winner during the 111th Tour de France 2024, Stage 20 a 132.8km stage from Nice to Col de la Couillole 1676m / #UCIWT / on July 20, 2024 in Col de la Couillole, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Tadej Pogačar Is Insatiable

Simona Halep smiles after her doping ban is slashed

Simona Halep Appealed A Career-Ending Doping Ban And Won


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Russian Olympic Committee Kamila Valieva with coaches Eteri Tutberidze (L) and Daniil Gleikhengauz after Women’s Free Program Final at Capital Indoor Stadium. Beijing, China

Figure Skating

Two Years Later, The Russian Figure Skating Scandal Still Lingers

Simona Halep wipes away sweat during her loss at the 2022 US Open

Simona Halep Says This Doping Ban Could Be The End Of Her Career

Luis Paez-Pumar

Paul Pogba of Juventus FC looks on during the Serie A Tim match between Empoli FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Carlo Castellani on September 3, 2023 in Empoli, Italy.

Soccer

Paul Pogba Facing Four-Year Ban For Failing Doping Test

Ray Ratto

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 12: Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness entrant Medina Spirit is bathed following a training session for the upcoming Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 12, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Horse Racing

Dead Horse Guilty

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 15: Kamila Valieva of Team ROC skates during the Women Single Skating Short Program on day eleven of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Capital Indoor Stadium on February 15, 2022 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)