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 VANOC unveiled its state-of-the-art anti-doping lab for the 2010 Winter Games at the Richmond Olympic Oval yesterday. (Carmine Marinelli, 24 Hours) |
Dopers beware - the 2010 Games come equipped with one of the most advanced anti-doping labs in the world.
VANOC unveiled its $16.4 million lab - located in the Richmond Olympic Oval - yesterday, where a team of 37 scientists and technicians will work around the clock to catch athletes trying to gain an upper hand with performance-enhancing substances.
More than 2,400 urine and blood tests will be collected over the course of the Games, double that of the last Winter Games in Torino.
"No question, it's a sign of the times," said VANOC executive vice-president of sport and Games operations Cathy Priestner Allinger, at a tour of the new lab.
"We have to try and keep our Games as clean as possible. In sport in general, [doping] is an issue and it has been for a long time."
The 1,350-square metre facility will be staffed by the Quebec-based Institut national de la recherche scientifique-Institut Armand-Frappier (INRS).
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The INRS is the only Canadian lab accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
"We're confident we have the best way to detect substances," INRS Dr. Christiane Ayotte told media. "They will be delivering samples day and night."