DeGeneres defends her post on Usain Bolt amid racism row

​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."

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

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 16, 2016

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.

Many Twitter users to came to her defence and said that the photo was not racist and that Bolt himself retweeted the photo.

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