Ellen DeGeneres replies to Usain Bolt tweet debate

Ellen DeGeneres has briefly discussed the Usain Bolt tweet.

Yesterday, Ellen DeGeneres tweeted out a photo about the Olympics. This is the photo in question.

The edited photo shows DeGeneres getting a piggyback ride from Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. Her caption reads, “This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016”.

Bolt, of course, has defended his unofficial title of “fastest man in the world” at the Olympics this year. The photo, which shows Bolt grinning as he blows by every single competitor, has quickly become iconic and representative of this year’s Olympics.

However, the photo and its caption earned some fury over how it was presented. Some called it racist. Meanwhile, others suggested some people don’t get humor.

Today, DeGeneres posted this to her Twitter account, clearly in response to the controversy.

It reads, “I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country. It is the furthest thing from who I am.”

Naturally, the replies to this tweet have the exact same mix of comments. One user wrote, “Delete [the photo] & do better.” Many expressed the opinion that they thought the photo was funny and not racist at all.

Despite the fury, the tweet and photo in question remain on Ellen DeGeneres’ Twitter feed. As noted by outlets like Entertainment Weekly, DeGeneres has often posted photos edited to feature herself as well.

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Usain Bolt has retweeted the edited photo.

Other than that, he has not tweeted to discuss the meme or its response. He will compete in the men’s 200m and relay events this week after winning his third gold medal in the men’s 100m sprint earlier this week. Earlier today, Bolt advanced to the 200m semifinals.