Usain Bolt’s journey from a teenage prodigy to the fastest man alive has been one of electrifying highs and, lately, sobering realities. The world still marvels Bolt, who still holds the world record for the men’s 100m at 9.58 seconds and the 200m at 19.19 seconds. But even the fastest man can’t outrun trouble. The brutal reality check he’s facing now might have been foreshadowed in his prime. It’s a revelation unearthed from his book ‘Faster Than Lightning’—a glimpse into a moment when even Usain Bolt, seemingly untouchable, grappled with pressure, expectations, and the harsh truths of professional sports.

In early 2023, the fastest man on the planet saw himself at the center of a financial scandal. He is yet to get back approximately $13 million, which disappeared from his accounts at the now disgraced Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL). A man known for his composed demeanor on the track now finds himself sprinting through legal complexities, fighting for what’s rightfully his. A look back at his 2010 season shows an earlier lesson in discipline, personal limits, and the fine line between relaxation and complacency.

As Usain Bolt detailed in his book, he had no major championships to worry about in 2010 and saw it as the perfect opportunity to take his foot off the gas. “I wanted to rest; I needed to chill out,” he wrote. After back-to-back seasons of relentless training, he decided that 2010 would be a quieter year—training, yes, but without the grueling intensity of previous years. His coach, however, was far from thrilled. “No, Usain!” he said. “You’ve gotta train. You can’t relax. You have more championships to win.”

He was getting paid to win races, and while he understood that, he also knew his body and mind needed a break. His decision wasn’t about arrogance or laziness—it was about survival in a sport that chews up and spits out even the most gifted athletes.

Bolt, true to his nature, didn’t spend his downtime idly. He embraced the off-season with gusto, throwing a ‘9.58 Super Party’ in St. Ann, Jamaica, to celebrate his world record. “Asafa was there, Wallace even showed up. The top DJs from Jamaica played sets for all the fans. It was wild.” But even in revelry, the weight of his status loomed large. His rise to stardom had reached a point where he was being compared to Bob Marley, an association that both honored and unsettled him.

“The only downside to my success was that some people were now viewing me as a national star on the scale of Bob Marley,” he admitted. Being likened to Jamaica’s most iconic figure was overwhelming. Even for the three-times Laureus Award winner for the World Sportsman of the Year. It wasn’t just about being great on the track—it was about representing an entire nation’s spirit and legacy.

The gravity of that comparison hit him hardest when he traveled to Hungary for the World Youth Championships and saw European bands covering Marley’s songs. It was then that he fully grasped Marley’s global impact. “What? I thought. ‘This is huge! What’s really going on here?’”

The realization was jarring. He had always embraced his role as a Jamaican ambassador, but to be mentioned in the same breath as Marley? That was another level. The pressure mounted, and every time someone brought it up, he tried to deflect.

“Nah,” he’d say. “Let’s not say that I’m bigger than Bob Marley. I’m one of the icons of Jamaica, yeah, and being compared to Bob is an honor, but he’s huge, man.” The world saw him as a legend, but Bolt, ever self-aware, knew that Marley’s reach was beyond what any athlete could achieve. Oh, the Buffalo Soldier lives long in our hearts!

Fast forward to 2025, the retired 9.58 man is now running out of patience.

The scammed legend Usain Bolt finally breaks strides about his feelings

Usain Bolt isn’t one to stay quiet for too long—especially when it comes to his hard-earned millions. Speaking on the popular local podcast “The Fix”, the sprint legend made it crystal clear that he has yet to recover any of the $13 million that mysteriously vanished from his accounts.

“Mi nuh get back mi money, people, so stop see me and ask me,” the eight-time Olympic gold medallist said bluntly to the hosts’, shutting down any assumptions that the situation had been resolved.

While legal action is still on the table, Bolt admitted he’s reaching his breaking point. “There are a lot of things floating around, but at some point, we have to figure out something and make a move because you can’t just lose all of that like that. Is a lot of running hours that,” he said, putting into perspective just how much sweat, sacrifice, and gold medals it took to earn that fortune.

To make matters worse, the experience has shattered his trust in financial institutions. “Now I have to be careful. Now I have to look at everybody sideways,” he admitted. Bolt might be patient, but don’t expect him to stay silent forever.