'15.7 Billion Won Vanished' Lightning Strike... Usain Bolt Says "I'll Forget It for Now"

Financial Company Employee Fraud Leaves Balance of 15 Million Won
"Stressed... Entrusted to Lawyer"

Usain Bolt (37, Jamaica), who suffered a massive financial fraud loss, has spoken out for the first time about his feelings. On the 28th (Korean time), at the 50th anniversary ceremony of the Gibson McCook Relay held in Kingston, Jamaica, he told local reporters, "I am stressed, but I will try to forget it for now."

Usain Bolt, a track and field athlete, suffered a massive financial fraud loss amounting to approximately 15.7 billion won.
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

On the 13th, Bolt was informed by the Jamaican asset management company Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) that his account balance had dropped to $12,000 (about 15 million KRW). His attorney, Linton Gordon, stated, "Bolt had invested a large sum for over 10 years to prepare for his retirement, but suddenly $12.7 million (about 15.7 billion KRW) vanished." The suspect is a former employee dismissed from SSL. According to local media The Gleaner, the employee is accused of committing a major fraud while employed and is suspected of tampering with Bolt's account as well.

SSL said, "The former employee is under police investigation. The Bolt case has also been reported," adding, "We will actively cooperate with the investigation." However, Gordon recently sent a request to SSL demanding the return of the investment regardless of the trial outcome. Bolt said, "It is difficult in many ways, but I am facing reality." He added, "I will leave matters related to the case to Gordon and focus on my family," and said, "I want to forget about it for a while."

Bolt is the fastest man in the world. He set world records in the men's 100m (9.58 seconds), 200m (19.19 seconds), and 4x100m relay (36.84 seconds). He participated in the Olympics three times, winning eight gold medals, and also won eleven gold medals at the World Athletics Championships. The British Guardian reported, "In his prime year of 2016 alone, he earned $33 million (about 41.05 billion KRW) from sponsorships, prize money, and appearance fees." Even after retiring in 2017, Bolt has continued to work steadily as an advertising model and more.