GlaxoSmithKline named as tier three sponsor for London 2012

BRITISH pharmaceutical giants GlaxoSmithKline have been named as a tier three sponsor for London 2012.

DRUG TESTING: Lord Coe stresses importance of drug testing at Games as GlaxoSmithKline announced as Laboratory Services Provider (Getty Images)

The company will assume the role of Official Laboratory Services Provider for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and will provide the necessary facilities and equipment for a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory.

The laboratory, to be based at one of GSK's UK research and development sites, will be independently run by staff from King's College London's Drug Control Centre, who will analyse thousands of samples during the two Games.

An estimated 4,500 tests were taken during the Beijing Olympics with a further 948 samples re-tested by the IOC after the Games.  1,500m gold medallist, Bahrain's Rashid Ramzi was the most high-profile athlete to test positive.

And London 2012 chairman Lord Coe was adamant that drug testing at the Games was something they would not be taking lightly.

"Doping control is a requirement of any Olympic Games and Paralympic Games," said Coe.

"We have taken a partnership approach to delivering it for London 2012 and I'm thrilled that GlaxoSmithKline is on board.

"Its involvement, working with the King's College experts, will see world class facilities available for an independently run anti-doping operation throughout the Games."

The Drugs Centre was formed in 1978 as the first human sports drug-testing laboratory established outside of an Olympic Games.