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Sprint legend Usain Bolt has pressed pause on his music career following the disappearance of US$6.2 million from his investment account in Jamaica last year.

Bolt ventured into music production after his retirement from track & field, launching two labels, 9.58 Records and A-Team. However, the financial scandal has forced him to hit pause on his musical pursuits.

"What happened shocked the system ... so I kinda tek a step back. Hopefully, in the future we can lean back into it. For right now we might do a one or two thing, but nothing as intense as we used to," Bolt said.

A company owned by the sports legend was allegedly defrauded of US$6.2 million, or almost J$950 million, at investment firm Stocks & Securities Limited (SSL).

A multimillion-dollar fraud and irregularities which were uncovered at the investment company in January 2023 ballooned past US$30 million, or J$4.7 billion, with more than 200 accounts impacted.

Bolt's holding company, Welljen, filed a lawsuit against SSL and Jean-Ann Panton, a former client relationship manager at SSL, to recover damages of US$6.2 million, the original sum he invested, or alternatively US$12.7 million.

Welljen's account was opened at SSL in 2012. The sprint legend said the funds were for his retirement.

On Saturday, the eight-time Olympic gold medallist also showed up at Couples Sans Souci in St Ann in support of the For the Children charity. The event, headlined by dancehall icon Shaggy, and featured Lila Ike, attracted a host of celebrities and was declared a success. It was hosted by the Issa Trust Foundation, the charitable arm of Couples Resorts.

Backstage on Saturday, Bolt was in good spirits - smiling for photos with fans, chatting with Shaggy, and soaking up the energy of the evening.

"I'm good ... as good as I can be," Bolt told THE STAR when asked how he was coping with the recent loss of his father, Wellesley Bolt, and the unresolved disappearance of his money from SSL. He said that his labels "always try to promote positive music and try to uplift the young youth" even as he disclosed that he has had to slow things down.

"It's been a tough time and a lot of things been going on ... and so I just have to take my time," he said about his foray in entertainment.

In the meantime, Bolt said he would continue his tradition of giving back. He recently donated an autographed T-shirt to the Issa Trust Foundation's silent auction, aimed at raising funds to construct the Mary Issa Paediatric and Adolescent Health Centre in Richmond, St Ann.

"When it comes to charity, I always try to give. If you follow my career, and follow me, you will see that any time I can give or support anything, I always try, because I understand the struggles through life and I know the impact I can make. Anybody come and ask, I try to give and try to help as much as possible," he said, explaining his decision to support the Issa Trust Foundation's initiative.

Asked whether the financial setback had affected his outlook, the world-record holder over 100m and 200m said he is "trying" not to let it affect his charitable spirit.

"To be truthful, I must say, it has made it [giving] a little harder. But I understand the struggles with Jamaican people and I also understand that if I am going through this, then I understand what other people are going through. If I can help, I will always help Jamaica.

Jamaica is somewhere I love. I could have left years ago, but this is somewhere I love," Bolt said.

A devoted father of three - Olympia, born in 2020, and twin sons Thunder and Saint, born in 2021 - Bolt shared that his main focus is his children.

"My kids are getting big, so right now I have to try and make an impression on them because the more you are around, the better it is to help teach them the right way. And, especially with the example set by my father ... the discipline and how he showed me the right way ... I have to instil all these things in my children.

And to do that you have to be around as much as you possibly can. I still do sponsorship and other work ... but in between that, I try to spend as much time with them as possible."