The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has announced the establishment of a new laboratory that will conduct state-of-the-art research into the use and detection of prohibited and performance-enhancing substances.
The Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory will be an independent testing facility at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. The USADA said Monday it is working in conjunction with both the University and the National Football League. The new lab has contracted with the University of Utah's highly respected Center for Human Toxicology, which is renowned for its forensic analytical toxicology expertise.
USADA Chief Executive Officer Terry Madden says the laboratory demonstrates the strong anti-doping efforts in the United States and will be an important resource in efforts to eliminate doping in sport.
The initial funding for the laboratory will be provided by the NFL and USADA, as well as through a grant provided by the Salt Lake Organizing Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as a legacy of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
The new laboratory will begin research and testing operations this year. Certifications from the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Organization for Standardization are expected to be obtained after the lab meets the stringent standard of those organizations.