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Morning Links: Colbert Nation to join the Olympics

Stephen colbert TV talk show host Stephen Colbert has brokered a deal to sponsor the U.S. Olympic speed skating team. Colbert announced the endorsement on his show "The Colbert Report" yesterday. Colbert isn't donating any money directly, but instead is encouraging viewers to donate directly to the Olympic program through a website.

A Dutch bank previously was set to sponsor the team, has filed for bankruptcy and failed to make a payment, leaving the team in a jam for corporate sponsorship. Speed skating team members will have "Colbert Nation" emblazoned on their uniform.

Dan Jansen appeared on the show and confirmed the loss of the sponsorship, and said that despite being the team to win the most medals in the U.S. Olympic program, the line of sponsors is not very long.

Olympic champ Apolo Anton Ohno wrote the AP in an e-mail, "I personally love Comedy Central + The Colbert Report. Any attention the sport can get is going to be beneficial. I'd like to see how creative they can get! I'm game to do a skit about it."

The team will begin wearing the Colbert Nation logo this week as it competes in Berlin and Montreal.

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Rihanna has given an interview to Diane Sawyer of "Good Morning America" to air on Thursday, and in full on Friday's "20/20." Rihanna tells Sawyer of the Grammy night domestic dispute with boyfriend Chris Brown, that "This happened to me. … It can happen to anyone."

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With her reality show on the blocks, Kate Gosselin had a special on TLC last night called "Kate: Her Story," in which she rehashed the same items that she has for the last nine months. She apologized for the way she treated husband Jon. "I was very hard on him and I would never deny that. I felt very much like a lot of weight rested on my shoulders. ... I was wrong to treat him that way. Was it good, healthy and wonderful? No. Am I proud of those moments that were captured? No."

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Teenaged actress Dakota Fanning has returned to a normal life at her high school. E! New reports that Fanning is a member of the cheerleading squad, and was even named homecoming princess this year. 

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Edward norton Actor Edward Norton took home the gold medal at the New York City marathon on Sunday.Well, Norton won the category for actors, musicians and performers. He finished the marathon in 3 hours, 48 minutes and 1 second, and called the experience "phenomenal." Anthony Edwards, former of ER, and singer Alanis Morissette also finished the race under four hours. 

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Jessica Simpson took a swipe at the CW network on her Twitter account, tweeting that "Melrose Place" is "crap." Simpson's sister Ashlee has been bumped from the show now that her story arc has wound down. "CW catching up on MP. Who writes this crap? i have had bad scripts to work with, but this? thank God my sister is amazing and got you some press,"Jess tweeted.

But sister Ashlee is grateful for the role, "Having the chance to play Violet on 'Melrose Place' has been a thrill. ... Thanks to the CW and the entire cast and crew of 'Melrose Place' for allowing me this opportunity."

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Actress Mary Stuart Masterson gave birth to a son back on October 11th, but has confirmed the birth through her rep. It is the first child for Masterson and husband Jeremy Davidson.

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