Watch Out, Richmond! Colbert’s Coming to the 2010 Olympics!

After a  riotous exchange on his late night comedy show, The Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert has accepted the challenge of the City of Richmond and says he will attend the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in support of the U.S. speedskating team.  Richmond officials extended the invitation after Colbert labelled Canadians as ‘syrup suckers” and “ice-holes”, complaining that the US team has limited access to the Richmond Olympic Oval and other venues. 

Last November, the City of Richmond offered Colbert a chance to attend as “official ombudsman” to monitor the treatment of the American atheletes. They’ve presented him with a pretty pink toque and the deal is, he has to wear it if he comes to the Games.  No toque, no job.  Colbert says he doesn’t know what it means “to ombud” but he’s accepted, so long as ‘it requires no effort’.  One thing he’ll have to do is hang out with civic officials othewise he won’t get through the door of any event unless he’s the city’s guest.  Officials are hoping he might also agree to visit the city’s other celebrations sites.

Colbert has made the Olympics a topic on nearly all his nightly shows.  In another “Threat Down” segment, he ranked a Langley woman who had reputedly kicked four men in the groin as the No. 1 threat, and jokes that perhaps he’ll be the nut-kicker’s target.  To ensure his safety, the Comedy Network is sending him a beaver fur-lined jockstrap, called The Maple Member Minder.  Fans are encouraged to send Colbert tweets  @StephenAtHome to ask him to wear it on when he comes here!

On this month’s Sports Illustrated, Stephen Colbert is seen in full speedskating regalia,  ready to go for the Gold!

PHOTO courtesy of Wikepedia