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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

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

a headshot of fired CDC health communications manager Sarah Boim

Politics

An Interview With A Fired CDC Health Communications Manager

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

A mixed protein drink, shaken to a pale green color.

This Is So Stupid

I Can’t Stop Drinking This Fucked-Up Protein Shake

Barry Petchesky

The mated Russian-built Zarya (left) and U.S.-built Unity modules are backdropped against the blackness of space over Earth's horizon shortly after leaving Endeavour's cargo bay December 13, 1998. After being released from the shuttle Endeavour, the international space station was orbiting the Earth on its own today -- ``a bright new star'''' not to be visited again until May. (photo by NASA)

Science

What If We’re Stuck Down Here?

Stephen Lurie is a writer and facilitator in Brooklyn, NY.

Stephen Lurie

A box of essentials - body glide, water, bagel, banana, Advil, and Accel Gel. The 116th Boston Marathon starts in Hopkinton in Hopkinton, Mass. on Monday, April 16, 2012.

The Great Outdoors

The Sublime Clarity Of Goo

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

Diana Moskovitz

Mary Lou Retton signs a Wheaties box in 2003. By her side is her longtime coach, Bela Karolyi

Gymnastics

Mary Lou Retton’s Third Act Is Her Most All-American

<a href="https://abshippy.com/">Abdullah Shihipar</a> is a writer and public health researcher based at Brown University.

Abdullah Shihipar

L-R Kyla Bennett, PhD, JD Director, New England PEER and a local resident Tracy Stewart of Medway look over old astroturf piled up in a forested area, where it's apparently leaching PFAS chemicals into nearby water sources.

Climate

The Case Against Turf Fields

Libby Watson is a writer, <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/libtron">streamer</a> and <a href="https://www.patreon.com/whatsallthisthen">podcaster</a>.

Libby Watson

A single-story ranch house surrounded by a chain link fence. It is pleasant and well-groomed. There is a mailbox in the front of the photo.