US Speedskating needed help from a comedy show host after a major sponsor went bankrupt, but the Americans might just laugh all the way to the medal podium at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Stephen Colbert, who plays an over-the-top parody of a conservative talk show host on Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, raised money for US Speedskating after Dutch bank DSB went under to wipe out a US$300,000 sponsorship.
Loyal “Colbert Nation” viewers donated US$300,000 to rescue the team’s budget.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“Without me, they would be racing on butter knives nailed to a pair of [sneakers],” Colbert said. “I gave the US speedskating team US$300,000. I am pretty sure that means I get to deduct the cost of the Olympics from my taxes.”
Colbert even appeared on a Sports Illustrated cover that declared, “Stephen Colbert Saves the Olympics.”
But Colbert was branded “a jerk” by US speedskater Shani Davis, the first black Winter Olympic individual-event champion after winning 1,000m gold in 2006 at Turin.
The remark came after the host’s Canada bashing over learning officials limited the time non-Canadians could use Olympic facilities, calling Canadians “syrup-suckers” among other things.
Davis was welcomed by Canadians to train at their facilities before Turin after a spat with US Speedskating.
The Chicago Tribune also reported he could have been offended by a remark in a 2006 Colbert satire about Davis declining to skate in team pursuit at Turin to focus on individual events.
“Davis should have skated in the team pursuit even though it interfered with his training ... sometimes you have to put aside your ego and sacrifice individual glory for the sake of the team if you are black,” Colbert said.
On his Jan. 20 show, Colbert and Davis were featured in a filmed piece during which Colbert apologized to Davis over the telephone.
“I apologize for whatever I said about you,” Colbert said. “I think you are a great athlete and I didn’t mean to disrespect you.”
Colbert, in a sequin-speckled vest to impress judges as in figure skating, challenged Davis to a race and yelled “Go” over the phone. Colbert made a “panicky flail” around the oval as Davis drove to the rink, dressed, signed autographs, drank water and still won.
“He smoked me like a Virginia ham,” Colbert said. “It was like watching a cheetah on skates.”
Davis and Colbert shook hands and Davis laughed when Colbert was named a US assistant sport psychologist.
“I’m going to be able to interact with the people of the world and tell them why America is better,” Colbert said.
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