On Campus

Laval football players suspended for doping

More testing means getting caught is ‘not a long shot’

Doping continues to be a problem for university sports, as two Laval football players test positive for steroids. Linebacker Michaël Abraham and offensive lineman Steeve Vachon have been suspended from playing for the Rouge et Or for two years, after being caught using performance enhancing drugs.

It is only the latest case of doping to be found at a Canadian university. Last spring, University of Waterloo’s football team was suspended for a year after nine players tested positive. Players from McGill University, Acadia University and the University of Windsor have also been caught doping over the past several months.

Canadian Interuniversity Sport CEO Marg McGregor told the Toronto Star that testing has intensified since the Waterloo scandal, with more random and off-season testing taking place. “It is a very different atmosphere now. (Getting caught doping) is not a long shot, so if there are people on steroids they’re likely to be detected and embarrass themselves and their schools and ruin their football careers,” she said.

The Rouge et Or is Canada’s top university football team, winning six national championships since 1999, including in this past season.

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