KINGSTON, Jamaica – Following last night’s gold medal performance by Omar McLeod at the Rio Olympics in Brazil, a controversial tweet was made from Lasco Distributors Limited’s Twitter handle in reference to the new Olympic 110-metre hurdles champion.

Facing heavy backlash on the social media website, the manufacturing, packaging and distribution company deleted the tweet and has since apologised.

In a statement issued last night, the company also said they have fired the employee who posted the tweet.

“Earlier this evening an unauthorised and offensive tweet was posted via our company account.

We wish to sincerely apologise to our fans, friends, customers, consumers, partners, Jamaicans and everyone for this terrible act,” Lasco said. “Most importantly, we issue our sincerest apologies to Mr Omar McLeod.”

In the statement, the company said its affiliated companies were also “offended by such utterances which are a clear breach of our own values”.

“Consequently, we have removed the tweet and deactivated the account. Further, we have terminated the employee who posted the tweet as this action was a violation of our code of conduct,” Lasco continued.

Lasco then went on to say that they have the utmost respect for McLeod’s remarkable achievement.

“We congratulate him on his gold medal victory in the Men’s 110m Hurdles Olympic event,” the company said. “We deeply regret any embarrassment or displeasure caused by the post and again offer our sincerest apologies.”