Tulsa World: TV's Colbert will sponsor team

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TV's Colbert will sponsor team

Olympic gold medalist Dan Jansen (left) gives the thumbs up Monday on the set of "The Colbert Report," after Stephen Colbert announced his show would become the primary sponsor of the U.S. speedskating team at the Vancouver Olympics. KRIS LONG / Associated Press

By RITA SHERROW World Television Editor
Published: 11/4/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 11/4/2009 4:08 AM

It's Stephen Colbert and The Colbert Nation to the rescue — of the U.S. speedskating team.

Comic Colbert, host and writer of "The Colbert Report" on Comedy Central, has announced The Colbert Nation, aka his legions of fans, will be the primary sponsor of the team at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. TCN replaces cash sponsor DSB Bank of the Netherlands, which has declared bankruptcy.

The announcement was made Monday by Colbert, Olympic Gold medalist Dan Jansen and Bob Crowley, executive director of U.S. Speedskating.

To aid the team in its bid to bring America Olympic Gold, Colbert is urging his show's fans to make donations in the name of The Colbert Nation at tulsaworld.com/colbert.

"We must ensure that it is America's 38-inch thighs on that medal platform!" Colbert said in a press statement.

"U.S. Speedskating is thrilled to be able to create a unique partnership between one of the great entertainers in the industry and one of the great sports in the Olympic movement," added Crowley. "Embracing the U.S. speedskating team will provide immeasurable exposure for our sport and very talented athletes."

U.S. Speedskating is a nonprofit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union as the governing body for the sport of speedskating in the United States. America's speedskating athletes are the most successful of all winter sport athletes, earning 75 gold medals. In the 2008-09 season, Team USA has won a combined total of 64 world cup and world championship medals for long and short track events. On the 2010 team are veterans Apolo Anton Ohno, Chad Hedrick, Jen Rodriguez, Catherine Raney and several newcomers.

"The Colbert Report" airs at 10:30 p.m. weeknights on Comedy Central, cable 61. The Olympic games will be held Feb. 12-28 in Vancouver, Canada.

Rita Sherrow 581-8360
rita.sherrow@tulsaworld.com By RITA SHERROW World Television Editor

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Colbert, fans to sponsor U.S. Olympic speedskating team," which was published on 11/3/2009.

	Report Comment Carrie, Tulsa (11/3/2009 12:36:35 PM) Awesome!
	Report Comment William42, Broken Arrow (11/3/2009 4:12:10 PM) It's too bad this guy just isn't funny - he reads from a script, and usually he's the only one laughing. He's a dweeb.
	Report Comment Phil Tower, (11/3/2009 6:58:23 PM) William42, ...Colbert deserves an Emmey for his recent week in Iraq. He can be an idiot...granted, but he is funny stuff. I enjoyed his fighter jet training very much.
	Report Comment The Answer is 42, Tulsa (11/4/2009 9:18:31 AM) To William42 - He writes the majority of the script he is holding... why do you think it was one of the only shows not in re-runs during the writers strike? Now who's the dweeb? Go spend your time reading or doing something else educational rather than failing at tearing people down who are trying to do good with their celebrity status... being un-funny is not a crime, making stupid assumptions should be.
	Report Comment my view, Sand Springs (11/4/2009 11:05:20 AM) He's not sponsoring anything he's added his name to it, and asking his fans to donate money. I'd be curious to see how much he donates. It's just another joke from Colbert.
	Report Comment lizzy, Tulsa (11/6/2009 10:38:44 AM) Kudos to Stephen. (Plus I'd be willing to bet he adds a significant donation of his own.) He also sends proceeds from his "Wriststrong" bracelets to the Yellow Ribbon Fund. He's a good guy, in addition to being incredibly talented.

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