Detecting - the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

A summary of the preparations and the operation of the Athens Doping Control Laboratory for the 2004 Olympic Games is presented. The preparations involved an upgrade of the laboratory infrastructure: staff, equipment, space, new analytical methodologies. The operation of the laboratory during the Games created a major number of events in agreement with the International Olympic Committee's commitment to doping-free "clean" Games. This summary was created by the director of the Athens Doping Control Laboratory and reflected the author's outlook 15 years later.