The bad news: The U.S. speedskating team is no longer sponsored by a bank. The bank went bankrupt.

The good news: The team is now sponsored by a comedian. As a result, the Winter Olympics sport is enjoying a surge in exposure it never dreamed of.

From crisis came salvation, thanks to Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central's Colbert Report, which parodies the conservative tilt of certain commentators.

``We must ensure that it is America's 38-inch thighs on that medal podium!'' Colbert told viewers when he exhorted ``Colbert Nation'' to donate money to the team as it prepares for the 2010 Winter Olympics, Feb. 12-28 in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia.

Colbert has created a fundraising link on colbertnation.com. He used the same idea to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for wounded U.S. military members. The link didn't work at first -- because of Canadian hackers, Colbert joked -- but by the end of the first day, $40,000 had been pledged.

Skaters in long and short track have won more medals (75) for the United States than athletes in any other winter sport. Former stars include Eric Heiden, Dan Jansen and Bonnie Blair. Current stars include Shani Davis, Chad Hedrick, Apolo Anton Ohno and Miami's Jennifer Rodriguez.

Instead of wearing the logo of Dutch bank DSB on their hoods, they will wear ``Colbert Nation.'' When DSB went under, U.S. Speedskating lost $300,000.

Skaters are hoping to appear on Colbert's show. Or better yet, get him out on the ice and into one of those skin-tight suits.

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