Ellen DeGeneres responds to racism accusations following Usain Bolt tweet

Ellen DeGeneres has defended her Usain Bolt tweet after she faced accusations of racism.

Following the Jamaican runner’s big win in the 100 metre semifinals, Ellen took to Twitter to make a joke about the 29-year-old sprinter on her Twitter account.

The host photoshopped an image of herself on his back and wrote alongside it: "This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016."

The original picture showed the star appearing to smile as he looked back at his competition as he sprinted toward the finish line on Sunday night.


Replying to the tweet, one wrote: "@TheEllenShow despite its intentions this pic has ugly connotations coming from a rich white lady.”

Another said: "So riding on his back like a mule, a horse as some form of property is fun to you."




Usain Bolt looks at Andre De Grasse as they compete

"Honestly this is offensive," said a third.

Taking to Twitter following the backlash, Ellen defended her tweet.

"I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country," she wrote. "It is the furthest thing from who I am."

And Usain didn't seem at all offended by the meme, as he later reweeted it to his four million followers.