INRS unveils VANOC Anti-Doping Laboratory for the 2010 games

Published: Monday, 26 October 2009

• 
• A A A

Oct. 23, 2009 - Pr. Christiane Ayotte, Director of the Doping Control Laboratory at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (Université du Québec), participated in the official opening on October 21, 2009 of the VANOC Anti-Doping Laboratory at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

The lab, largely designed by Dr. Ayotte and her INRS team, is the world's most advanced anti-doping laboratory and will be used for the detection of bannned substances during the 2010 Winter Games. More than 2400 tests will be administered during the Games, more than in any previous winter Olympics. The $8.9 million state of the art lab has been designed with security as a top priority. There are multiple sets of secure, locked doors and only a few select expert technicians will have access to the lab, ensuring the highest level of integrity and reliability in the conduct of drug testing.

Dr. Ayotte and her INRS team will operate the laboratory facilities throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Davis LLP lawyers Megan Filmer and Stu Morrow represented the INRS and worked closely with Dr. Ayotte for the past three years on negotiations with VANOC and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in connection with the design, construction and equipping of the lab and negotiation of the Laboratory Services Agreement.