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Ellen DeGeneres Responds To Racism Accusations Over Photoshopped Usain Bolt Twitter Pic

'It is the furthest thing from who I am.'
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By 

Head of Entertainment, HuffPost UK

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Ellen DeGeneres has defended a photo she tweeted of Usain Bolt, after she was accused of racism.

The US chat show host and actress shared a photoshopped snap of her riding on the Jamaican runner’s back after he won the Olympic 100 metres semifinals.

The pic, which was shared with her 61.5million followers, was captioned: “This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016.”

But the tweet didn’t go down too well with some, who accused the ‘Finding Dory’ star of racism.

Others defended Ellen’s decision to share the pic...

But Ellen later addressed the backlash in another tweet, saying: “I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country. It is the furthest thing from who I am.”

Despite the accusations of racism from some quarters, Usain didn’t appear to be offended by the meme, which he reweeted to his four million followers.

Seixsm Scandals At Rio 2016
Woman Wears Dress(01 of05)
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BBC presenter Helen Skelton came under fire from some social media users for wearing an 'inappropriate' dress.

She was splashed on the front page of the Daily Mail with a headline that read: "It's hotting up in Rio.. and that's just the presenters!"

Many people seemed to forget that it is a common occurrence for men and women wear shorter or less clothing in warmer weather. (credit:Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
Strength And Guile Contest Becomes 'Catfight'(02 of05)
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Majlinda Kelmendi should have made the headlines for becoming Kosovo's first ever Olympic medalist - with a gold one to boot.

But her triumph in the 52kg event against Italy’s Odette Giuffrid was marred by a BBC commentator describing the contest as a "catfight". (credit:Markus Schreiber/AP)
Wife Of Famous Man(03 of05)
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Corey Cogdell-Unrein also had her bronze medal win in the women's trap shooting dismissed by some news organisations.

The Chicago tribute referred to her in headlines only as the wife of a famous American football linesman.

"You spelt '3-time Olympian Corey Cogdell-Unrein wins second bronze medal today in Rio Olympics' wrong," wrote one angry Twitter user. (credit:Harry How via Getty Images)
Mansplaining To A New Low(04 of05)
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A Twitter user managed to rile the masses by taking it upon himself to explain cycling to none other than an Olympic cyclist.

Martin Betancourt gave Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten a 140 character lesson in cycling after the 33-year-old came off her bike during a sharp turn in the road race.

She was left hospitalised with severe concussion and three small fractures in her lower back. (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
Celebrations Turned Sour(05 of05)
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NBC was again accused of sexism during its coverage of women’s gymnastics on Sunday, when an unidentified commentator said Team USA members looked like they “might as well be standing in the middle of a mall”.

The moment came when they were pictured celebrating following their utter annihilation of the competition during the qualifying round. (credit:Mike Blake / Reuters)

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