Comedienne and American TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres caused a stir when she posted a meme of herself riding on the back of Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt.
A photo of the Jamaican sprinter looking back and grinning at his opponents during the 100m semi-final race on Sunday (Aug 14) went viral, and has become one of the memorable moments of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
She posted a photoshopped version of the picture on Twitter, with her on his back, with the caption: "This is how I'm running errands from now on."
But not everyone appreciated the humour intended in the edited image.
Many called the picture insensitive and racist for showing a white woman riding on the back of a black man.
One Twitter user posted: "So riding on his back like a mule, a horse as some form of property is fun to you... OK."
Others came to her defence, with one user saying: "I am absolutely baffled by the people currently calling Ellen DeGeneres racist because she, more or less, called an Olympic sprinter fast."
In response to the criticisms, DeGeneres tweeted: "I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country. It is the furthest thing from who I am."
Bolt, who went on to win the 100m finals later on Sunday, retweeted the image himself, and has previously appeared on her talk show.