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The UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory is the world’s largest World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited sports drug-testing facility and one of the leading research institutions in the field of athletic doping. Founded in 1982 by a grant from the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, the UCLA facility was the first U.S. laboratory accredited by the International Olympic Committee.
One of only two U.S. laboratories accredited by WADA, the UCLA facility operates on a $5 million annual budget. Lab director Anthony Butch supervises a staff of more than 40 scientists who analyze some 40,000 urine specimens per year for substances banned by various sports agencies.
UCLA has provided anti-doping testing for the U.S. Olympic Committee since 1985 (contract transferred to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in 2000). This included the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The lab performs drug testing for a growing roster of national and international sports organizations, including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (since 1986), National Football League (since 1990), Minor League Baseball (since 2004), and other major sporting events, such as the 1993 World Soccer Cup. The facility also conducts testing for numerous universities, various law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Department of Defense.