Frustrated Usain Bolt has opened up over how he plans to fix his country Jamaica to recover the nearly $13 million that he lost from an investment scheme two years ago.
Jamaican sprint great Usain Bolt has opened up on how his patience has thinned over his nearly $13 million that was lost in an investment scheme.
Bolt is still in distress after finding out that more than $12.8 million was missing from his account with just $12,000 remaining after putting his hard-earned money in Kingston-based investment firm Stocks and Securities Ltd in January 2023.
Since then, there have been several promises made but the legendary sprinter is yet to get any positive feedback on how his money mysteriously disappeared or how or whether he will recover it.
Speaking to The Fix podcast in Jamaica, Bolt explained how he is still hurting but his love for his country has restrained him from speaking about the scam to the outside world.
Jamaican great Usain Bolt may have been used to winning on track but he has had to endure painful losses off it, going by the multi-million ventures that lost him big money.
“Because at the end of the day, it is going hurt Jamaica a lot, so I try avoid that,” he explained regarding his decision to go silent.
However, the 100m and 200m world record holder says waiting for two years and without a way forward is forcing his hand as he feels he might need to do something on his own.
“Now, at some point, I have to start saying what’s happening. Clearly, it seems like if I don’t apply some pressure or do something or start making a whole heap of questions being asked, I’m not going to get anything back,” he added.
“It’s been two years, and I can’t come to you and say it’s reached here or we’re looking up or down. It reaches nowhere; it’s almost at a stalemate. Something has to happen, some fixing has to go on.”
Bolt firmly believes the Jamaican government is capable of fixing the problem but has slackened.
“Ah the government alone can do something big ‘bout this. They are the only person who can go in and say this needs to be fixed,” said Bolt, an eight-time Olympics champion.
“It’s been two years. There have been conversations, but nothing has materialised out of those talks. If they were doing enough, it would reach a certain level already.”
Bolt admits news about his lost millions saddened him beyond measure and wonders if a man who brought so much glory to Jamaica like him can suffer such losses and endure the long wait what does it mean for the rest of Jamaicans.
)
The ex-world champion has weighed in on the fraud case that saw his former track rival Usain Bolt lose nearly $13 million to fraudsters, calling out the Jamaican authorities.
“It made me look at who I am and where I think I was on the food train in Jamaica. If this happens to me and is going on for two years, and I can’t see back a dime… you really start to evaluate,” he went on.
The 38-year-old was among 200 people who lost money in the scam and has made numerous inquiries over the way forward but it appears he might have to take action on his own as the Jamaican government has yet to firmly deal with the issue.
