30 January 2023 , 08:23
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Sprinting legend Usain Bolt has sacked his business manager as the mystery over how $12.7million (£10.3million) went missing from one of his accounts continues.
Bolt, an eight-time Olympic gold medalist who still holds world records in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, was rocked this month when he discovered the money had gone from his Kingston-based Stocks and Securities Limited account. The police were informed and a subsequent investigation by the authorities has followed.
The 36-year-old's attorneys have claimed there is now just $12,000 (£9,700) left in the account. They had previously given SSL until Friday to return the money or face further legal action, but with that deadline having now passed, it is unclear what transpired.
However, Bolt has claimed to reporters that his business manager has been fired over the ordeal, as reported by the Daily Mail. He also added that, perhaps unsurprisingly, it was not a harmonious split.
The Jamaican icon laughed off suggestions he was now out of pocket, but did reveal the damaging financial effect the alleged fraud has had on him: "I'm not broke, but it's definitely put a dampener on me," he said.
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"It was for my future. Everybody knows I have three kids. I'm still looking out for my parents, and I still want to live very well." He also told the Jamaica Observer newspaper that the public should be ready for the "expected and the unexpected" with the outcome of the saga.
Usain Bolt accepts the BBC SPOTY Lifetime Achievement award from his home in Jamaica (PA)Last week, Jamaican Finance Minister Nigel Clarke said several government agencies and elderly customers also were affected by the financial losses. And Bolt said his thoughts were also with elderly people affected: "It's always a sad situation," he added. "Definitely disappointed. Everybody's confused. I'm as confused as the public.'
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that his administration would not bail out SSL. He said: "The government will not socialise any debt, and we will not socialise the failure of our banks."
Only last month, the sprinter dubbed 'the fastest man on earth' was awarded the BBC SPOTY Lifetime Achievement Award. He accepted the award virtually from his native Jamaica.
The Mirror has contacted Stocks and Securities Ltd for comment.