Stephen Colbert slides into town
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. // He may be sponsoring the U.S. Speedskating team, but Stephen Colbert wants to experience the rush of a bobsled run with the reigning world champion and the terror of a solo ride on a skeleton sled.
And so he shall Sunday after World Cup competition here.
Colbert's staff is in town and the Comedy Central talk show host is expected to fly in Sunday for a whirlwind shot at two of the Olympics' three sliding sports.
At 45, Colbert is two years older than U.S. bobsled Coach Brian Shimer, a five-time Olympian and 2002 Olympic bronze medalist.
To ease the aging comedian's downhill plunges, the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation has arranged for world champion Steve Holcomb to pilot his flat-black sled "Night Train," down the mile-long ice chute, with Colbert in the "Three Hole," one spot in front of the brakeman.
And when it comes to skeleton, Colbert will begin his ride at Start Five in an area known as "The Labyrinth," three-quarters of the way down the track.
In his two runs, Colbert will, no doubt, find his own moment of truthiness.
