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Colbert Sponsors US Speedskating, for Free

Comedian is counting on fans to step up after sponsor's bankruptcy

By the Associated Press

Posted Nov 3, 2009 7:01 AM CST

(AP) – Of the many countries participating at the Vancouver Olympics, add Colbert Nation to the list. On last night's Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert announced his show has become the primary sponsor of the US speedskating team. What he didn't announce: He's not actually paying them a dime, he's just calling on fans to donate through colbertnation.com.

In exchange for his fundraising clout, the team uniforms will bear the show's branding. "On their enormous, billboard thighs, it will say, 'Colbert Nation,'" Colbert said in an interview before the taping. "Be looking for that logo as it comes around the final turn. It will be easy to see because it will be in first place." The team's largest annual cash sponsor, DSB Bank NV, left the team in the lurch when it declared bankruptcy in October.

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

US Speedskating executive director Robert Crowley, Olympic gold medalist Dan Jansen and host Stephen Colbert on the set of "the Colbert Report" Monday night in New York. (AP Photo/Comedy Central, Kris Long)

Olympic gold medalist Dan Jansen, left, and host Stephen Colbert on the set of "the Colbert Report" Monday night in New York. (AP Photo/Comedy Central, Kris Long)

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Stephen Colbert steps up for US Speedskating in this "Sports Report" segment. (Comedy Central)

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Colbert Sponsors US Speedskating, for Free