Ellen DeGeneres accused of racism over Usain Bolt meme

Usain Bolt’s mid-race smile has become a new template for internet memes as the Jamaican sprinter effortlessly won the men's 100m race semi-final at the Olympics in Rio and still found the time to crack a smile for the camera.

As the picture began making the rounds on social media, Twitter soon erupted with memes.

Bolt’s mid-race smile is new template for internet memes

On Monday, Ellen DeGeneres also posted her own meme of her riding the back of the gold medalist.

However, what was meant as a joke soon backfired as many considered the image to be racist and insensitive.

In pictures: Bolt makes Olympic history with 100-metre triumph

There were many, however, who had the comedian's back, with even Bolt retweeting the image.

DeGeneres has since responded to the criticism with two more tweets.