Video: Stephen Colbert on the cover of Sports Illustrated in Lycra?

Stephen Colbert on the cover of Sports Illustrated                                Photo: Sports Illustrated

When Stephen Colbert produced the latest issue of Sports Illustrated on his show, The Colbert Report,  many people in the audience and watching on television thought it was a joke.

But no...this was no joke.

Stephen Colbert is on the cover of Sports Illustrated wearing Lycra and a tie.

"In November, devoted Colbert fans known as the Colbert Nation became the official primary sponsor of U.S. Speedskating. The team's largest annual cash sponsor, DSB Bank NV, left the team in the lurch after it declared bankruptcy in October.

With contributions from fans, more than $250,000 has been raised.

Colbert has made Olympics-related material a nearly nightly fixture on his show. He revealed the cover on Monday's show, which featured short track skater Katherine Reutter as a guest. Also Monday, Colbert challenged speed skater Shani Davis to a race," according to  NBCOlympics.com

Perhaps the most unusual moment of show came when Olympic Speed Skater Kathrine Reutter asked Colbert to sign her thigh."

"He hasn't mocked the athletes, except a little bit for having "billboard thighs" (practically a compliment) and wearing Lycra -- hardly damaging to the team's image. Reutter even asked Colbert to sign her billboard thigh at the end of the segment - which was entirely her idea, and seemed to catch him off guard. Colbert might not be saving the Olympics, but he's certainly not destroying them, either," NBC Olympics goes on to report.

Follow on twitter @everymantri or view latest videos on YouTube.