GlaxoSmithKline’s Scientific Contribution to the 2012 Olympic Games
(Did you know….)
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is the Official Laboratory Services Provider for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games through its Global Headquarters in London. GSK employees developed procedures and set up equipment for a 24-hour drug-testing laboratory which is the size of seven tennis courts located in Harlow, about 28 miles from London. Actual testing will be done by 150 scientists under the direction of Professor David Cowan of King’s College, London. It is reported more tests will be carried out at this year’s Games than at any other Olympic event. 
Here’s a Short List of Numbers for a Long List of Results:
- Lab will run tests 24/7
- Over 240 prohibited substances will be tested for
- Shortest test turnaround will be 24 hours
- Up to 400 samples will be tested every day
- Up to 6250 samples will be tested during Games
- Up to 50 percent of all competing athletes will be tested including every Olympic medalist
- GSK Chief Executive, Andrew Witty, said, “We are immensely proud to be a partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and want to celebrate the role we play in bringing science to the Games…As the UK’s largest pharmaceutical company, we will bring our expertise to running a world class laboratory that will carry out more anti-doping tests than ever before at an Olympics, making London 2012 the cleanest possible Games.”
Marlon Devonish, Olympic gold medalist said, “Winning an Olympic medal is the best feeling in the world and as an athlete it’s so important to know that anyone who stands on the podium has got there through their own hard work and dedication, not by doping. The work done by GlaxoSmithKline, LOCOG and King’s to provide the London 2012 anti-doping programme helps to give athletes the assurance that the Games will be fair and athletes are competing clean.”
Celebrating their involvement in the Games, GSK displays signage on the side of their headquarters in London. The sign, which is 41m wide sits on the side of GSK’s building annex to the M4 and A4 in Brentford and welcomes millions of people to London. More than 78,000 people will see the sign every day from their cars as they drive in and out of London.
Including their presence in the Research Triangle Park and London, Glaxo currently employs approximately 97,000 employees in more than 100 countries.
GSK - Ensuring fair competition through science …Truly a world-class contribution and commitment!