Under the authority and direction of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), London 2012 will collect and test approximately 5,000 samples at the Olympic Games and 1,200 at the Paralympic Games.

There were 4,500 samples collected during the Olympics in Beijing in 2008 when 20 athletes tested positive, including 1500 metres gold medallist Rashid Ramzi.

Under the terms of the MoU, UKAD - who only became operational in December after becoming independent from Government agency UK Sport -will help London 2012 recruit specialist doping control officers (DCOs) to volunteer in the LOCOG doping control programme; provide a training programme for DCOs, blood collection officers and chaperones; provide expert staff to assist LOCOG to deliver their anti-doping programme during the Games; work together with London 2012 to provide doping control at test events in 2011 and 2012 and to deliver anti-doping education at selected test events. 

Sir Craig Reedie, a member of the IOC's ruling Executive Board, is a special adviser to UKAD.

Andy Parkinson, the chief executive of UKAD, said: "UK Anti-Doping is pleased to work with and support LOCOG in the lead-up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"We are partnering with LOCOG to develop a comprehensive programme of testing, athlete education and training for anti-doping volunteers in the lead-up to, and during, the London 2012 Games."

Glaxo-Smithkline will provide facilities and equipment to enable King's College London to operate a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited satellite laboratory at Games-time.

Debbie Jevans, the Director of Sport at London 2012, said: "We need to have a strong message that drugs cheats are not welcome at the London Games.

"The input of UK Anti-Doping, our new national anti-doping organisation, will assist LOCOG in the delivery of a world class anti-doping programme at the London Games."

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