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Fredricks teams up with Colbert

Tucker Fredricks of Janesville will do his part to thank The Colbert Nation.

The U.S. Olympic team speedskater will “coach” Steven Colbert, host of Comedy Central’s Colbert Report, in a race against U.S. Olympic gold medalist Shani Davis.

Colbert stepped in to save U.S. Speedskating after its major sponsor, Dutch Bank DSB, filed for bankruptcy and left the U.S. team out $300,000. Colbert called on his viewers—The Colbert Nation—to support the U.S. speedskaters, and they have responded with more than $270,000 in donations.

On last Monday’s Colbert Report, the host challenged Davis to a race after Colbert said Davis reportedly called him “a jerk.’’

“My coach asked if I wouldn’t mind doing the show,” Fredricks said in a phone interview. “The show sounded kind of cool, and I said ‘yeah,’ ’’

At first, it was Fredricks who was supposed to race Colbert, but that was switched to Davis, and Fredricks was asked to be Colbert’s coach.

The segment will be taped on Sunday, Dec. 27, at the Utah Olympic Oval in Salt Lake City. The Colbert Report is on Comedy Central each Monday through Thursday at 10:30 p.m., but it is uncertain when this segment will be shown.

“At first, I was supposed to race, but they decided to have somebody else,” Fredricks said. “Shani’s name came up, and Shani said ‘yeah.’ ’’

Fredricks said he enjoys Colbert, and he will be ready to take the comedian’s quick wit.

“I really like the show,” Fredricks said. “I know he will make fun of me, and won’t be able to make a comeback.’’

Fredricks is No. 3 for the 500 meters in the World Cup rankings and will race competitively at the U.S. Olympic Trials, beginning Dec. 26 in Salt Lake.

“I’ll do a 500 and a 1,000 just to race,” said Fredricks, who has a spot secured on the U.S. Olympic team. “I’d like to have another “World,” but I’ll just do time trials and practice up until Vancouver.’’

The Vancouver Winter Games begin Feb. 12. Fredricks will skate his first 500 on Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m. CST. and the medal race at approximately 7:30 p.m.