Ellen DeGeneres defends photo of herself with sprinter Usain Bolt

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

8 years ago

Ellen DeGeneres says she’s not racist after receiving backlash on social media for posting an edited photo of herself riding on the back of Jamaican runner Usain Bolt. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt competes in a men’s 200-meter heat during the athletics competitions of the 2016 Summer Olympics at the Olympic stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016. (Charlie Riedel/AP)

LOS ANGELES — Ellen DeGeneres says she’s not racist after receiving backlash on social media for posting an edited photo of herself riding on the back of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.

The talk show host said Tuesday on Twitter that she’s “highly aware of the racism that exists in our country” but that’s “the furthest thing from who I am.”

DeGeneres posted the photo Monday with the caption: “This is how I’m running errands from now on.”

This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/gYPtG9T1ao

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 15, 2016

The image of a white woman riding a black man was criticized by many users on social media.

The original photo of Bolt smiling while running went viral following his gold medal win in the 100-meter dash.

The comedienne frequently posts photos of herself edited into topical moments and scenes from popular films and TV shows.