IT'S DOUBLE TRAGEDY: CAS doubles Jeptoo's ban; Edna Kiplagat headed for Sh100m windfall

Rita Jeptoo of Kenya reacts after crossing the finish line to win the women's race during the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Chicago. Chicago's 37th annual race included a field of 108 elite men, women and wheelchair athletes. There were also 45,000 amateur runners registered and more than 1 million people were expected to watch along the way.(AP Photo/Andrew A. Nelles)

Two-time world marathon champion Edna Kiplagat is poised for a double World Marathon Majors (WMM) series jackpot after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) doubled Rita Jeptoo's ban.

Yesterday, CAS upheld an IAAF appeal and banned Jeptoo, who had reportedly resumed training, until October 30, 2018.
 

The court also fined her 15,000 Swiss francs (£12,396), which is an equivalent of Sh1, 521,387, as a contribution to the IAAF's legal fees and expenses.
 

It's sad news for Jeptoo, who had put a spirited appeal that lasted the entire ban period, which was due to end tomorrow (October 28, 2016).
 

The 33-year-old Jeptoo tested positive for performance-enhancing drug EPO in 2014 and forfeits her Boston and Chicago marathons victories.
 

She was due to receive her 2013/2014 World Marathon Majors (WMM) series but was suspended after she failed drug test.
 

The court sitting in Lausanne, Switzerland, ruled: "The results of Ms Jeptoo in the 2014 Boston Marathon and all other results from April 17, 2014 (including the 2014 Chicago Marathon) are disqualified pursuant to IAAF Rule 40.8, with all resulting consequences, including the forfeiture of the title, medal, prize money, and any other appearance money."
 

"The costs of these proceedings, which shall be specified and communicated separately by the CAS court office, shall be borne by Ms Jeptoo."
 

That means Edna Kiplagat, the two-time world marathon champion, is now poised for double fortune past two WMM series.
 

She was a runner up finisher behind Russia's Liliya Shobukhova in the 2012/2013 WMM series and another runner up spot to Rita Jeptoo, the winner of 2013/2014 WMM series.
 

Shobukhova and Jeptoo have since been banned for testing positive to banned substances.
Edna has pitched tent in her training base in The Boulder, Colorado, USA, ahead of the next season.
But her husband Gilbert Koech said they expect to be awarded to big WMM prize purse.
 

"There is light at the end of the tunnel. I hope we will get the money. It only needs patience on our part," said Koech.
 

That sounds good news for Edna, who seemed to lose hope in big time athletics early this year.
"My talent is just being wasted. I don't know why and right now I have no motivation. I have tried it several times.

Shobukhova and Jeptoo have been suspended but I have not been paid. I hope for a good decision to allow me get back my money," Edna in an interview in January.
 

"Shobukhova has not returned the money. I am still waiting for any response."
Edna won London Marathon in 2014 then finished 10th last year after a third spot in 2011, runner up places in 2012 and 2013 respectively as well as victory in New York Marathon in 2010 and 10th place in 2014.
 

About 43 athletes have failed doping tests in the past three years, with highest number including high profile athletes testing positive for banned substances netted last year.