An awkward smile here, a blank gaze there, Usain Bolt, one of the most vibrant characters in sports, was a pale comparison to his colourful best, striking the image of a man determined to remain positive despite standing front and centre as victim-in-chief in Jamaica’s biggest fraud case.

The towering sprinting icon, now 36, made his first appearance and full comments to the public since it was discovered that US$12 million had disappeared from an account he had set up with under-fire investment firm, Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) a decade ago.

Bolt, an eight-time Olympic champion, is one of more than 40 clients who have been affected by the fraud case that is estimated to top $3 billion.

With his global appeal and recognition ensuring that the eyes and ears of the world were well-trained on the situation, Bolt expressed shock and disappointment in a measured response that also addressed the impact on his own finances and the effect the case has had on others.

“I don’t want to say too much but, as we know, from everybody’s standpoint it doesn’t look good. I’ve read a few comments and everybody is confused. I am as confused as the public but we’ll see what happens,” Bolt, as patron, said after he had honoured a commitment to speak at the sponsors’ luncheon for the Gibson McCook Relays at the Jamaica Pegasus yesterday.

“No, I’m not broke, but it [losses] has definitely put a damper on me — and it [funds] was for my future. Everybody knows I have three kids, I am still looking after my parents, and I still want to live very well,” Bolt added.

“It’s always going to be a sad situation for anybody to lose what they have worked hard for. That is a sad situation and I am definitely disappointed.”

Bolt’s comments coincided with the expiration of a 10-day ultimatum that his lawyers — Frater, Ennis and Gordon — had given to the management of SSL to return US$12,758,181.74, which was the reported balance in Bolt’s account at October 31, 2022.

The former sprinter opened an account with the institution through a limited liability company, investing approximately US$7 million as part of his pension planning.

Bolt shared that the past few days have been extremely tough for him mentally and, with SSL not meeting his demands up to Friday afternoon, warned that further action will be taken.

“Well, it [has been] 10 days; just give it time and you will see what will happen,” he stated before sharing the emotional struggles he has had to endure.

“For me it’s tough, but I think the years of competing helped me to understand and just focus. I leave the matter in my lawyers’ hands and I am just trying to focus on my family and try not to think too much about it because it’s a stressful situation.

Bolt, who retired in 2017, is the world record holder in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m. He is widely regarded as the greatest sprinter in history and is one of the most-recognisable sporting figures in the world.

The SSL case has wide-ranging implications, with US law enforcement body, the FBI, called in to help with the investigation. Additionally, a number of reforms have been announced for the financial sector while there have been several changes to the board of local regulators, the Financial Services Commission.