Eventually, the professional jury simply refused to include Zoich, whom designer Yegor Zhigun based on the character "Hypnotoad" from the U.S. cartoon series "Futurama," on the list of finalists. The decision was in line with selection rules but de-facto voided the purpose of online voting.

"Zoich was absolutely out of consideration," a source within the Russian Olympic Committee told The Moscow Times on Sunday. "It was very depressing."

"The mascot should symbolize Russia, but imagine the impression people around the world would have when they looked at this blue toad?" said the source, who asked not to be identified because she was not authorized to speak to the media.

I spoke to another source close to the matter who added, "ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD! ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD! ALL GLORY TO THE HYNOTOAD!"

Meanwhile, in former Soviet Russia, Hypnotoad disqualifies you from mascot competition.

Be sure to visit the official Futurama website for clips and upcoming air-times.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

From the Tosh.0 blog…

Want a hat of your own? You can still buy one. 70% of net proceeds go to the US Speedskating Team.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

Is your head cold? Do you prefer only keeping your head warm by using hats won in Twitter contests that are also somehow related to The Colbert Report? If you answered yes to either question, boy do I have a hat for you!

Recently, The Colbert Nation sponsored the U.S. Speedskating Team, and 70% of the net proceeds from these special Colbert Nation U.S. Speedskating Team hats went directly to funding the team. But now, 100% of one hat is going to go to fund one Twitterers lucky head.

All you have to do is tweet how you are keeping the Olympic spirit alive. That's it! Wow, we are just giving this hat away (We are literally just giving this hat away). Tag your entries #colberthat any time between now and March 16th, and we'll announce the winner shortly thereafter. It's almost like Stephen himself is giving a hats off to you. Sorry, that was cheesy. Let me try again. Hat's an awesome Twitter contest! Perfect.

The complete official rules can be found below.

Official Rules

The Colbert Report’s Hat’s Off Challenge

1. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN A PRIZE. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.
2. Entry Period: The Colbert Report’s Hat’s Off Challenge (the “Contest”) commences on March 10, 2010 and on March 16, 2010 (the “Entry Period”). All entries must be received by 11:59:59 PM ET on March 16, 2010.
3. Administrator/CP: The Contest shall be administered and sponsored by Comedy Partners (“CP”).
4. Contest Overview: The Contest is a Twitter challenge in which Colbert fans tweet in response to the question, “How will you keep the Olympic spirit alive?”  See Paragraph 6 below for full entry details.
5. Eligibility: The Contest is only open to legal residents of Canada, the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.  Entrants must have a valid account on Twitter and be at least 18 years of age or older at time of entry.  Employees (and their immediate families (i.e., parents, spouse, children, siblings, grandparents, step parents, step children and step siblings and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and household members, whether or not related) of CP, and each of its respective parents, affiliated companies, CPs, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and third party fulfillment agencies (collectively, the “CP Entities”) are not eligible to enter or win the Contest. By participating in this Contest, entrants: (a) agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the interpretations of these Official Rules by CP, and by the decisions of the CP Entities, which are final and binding in all matters relating to the Contest; (b) to release and hold harmless the CP Entities and their respective agents, employees, officers, directors, successors and assigns (collectively, “Released Parties”), against any and all claims, injury or damage arising out of or relating to participation in this Contest and/or the use or misuse or redemption of a prize, and for any claims based on publicity rights, defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, trademark infringement or any other intellectual property related cause of action; and (c) acknowledge compliance with these Official Rules.
6. To Enter: Visit http://twitter.com (the “Website”) at any time during the Entry Period and explain “How will you keep the Olympic spirit alive?” in under 140 characters (each, a “Submission”).  Tweet your entries with the tag: #colberthat during the Entry Period.  Enter as many times as you wish.

In the event of a dispute over who submitted a Submission, the authorized subscriber of the Twitter account used to participate in the Contest at the actual time of entry will be deemed to be the entrant and he/she must comply with these Official Rules. The authorized account subscriber is defined as the natural person who is assigned a Twitter account who is also at least 18 years of age at time of entry.

Entrants agree to irrevocably assign to CP as applicable, and its respective representatives, affiliates and licensees, in whole or in part, all right, title and interest in the Submissions including, without limitation, all intellectual property rights therein, for use in any and all media whether now known or hereafter devised, including, without limitation, the unconditional right to exhibit, broadcast, copy, reproduce, encode, compress, encrypt, incorporate data into, edit, rebroadcast, transmit, record, publicly perform, create derivative works of, distribute and synchronize in time related to visual elements, and/or otherwise exploit and exercise all other rights of ownership in the Submissions, in perpetuity, anywhere in the universe, including, but not limited to, the right to make any and all uses thereof, or for purposes of advertising or trade without any compensation to entrant.  CP Entities are under no obligation to use the Submissions for any purpose.  Entrants agree to execute any documents or agreements required by CP to perfect CP’S ownership and other right in and to the Submission(s)s, without further cost to CP.

Submission(s) must be the original work of the entrant, may not have been previously published, may not have won previous awards, and must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity.  Submissions may not contain defamatory or derogatory content.  If a Submission(s) contains any material or elements that are not owned by the entrant, and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, the entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submission of the Submission(s), any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the use and exhibition of the Submission(s) by the CP Entities in the manner set forth in these Official Rules, including, without limitation, name permissions from any person named in the Submission(s) on a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide and sublicensable, and royalty-free basis. The CP Entities reserve the right to request proof of these permissions in a form acceptable to the CP Entities from any entrant at any time. Failure to provide such proof may, if requested, render Submission(s) null and void.

The CP Entities are not obligated to, use, publish, display or broadcast any of the Submission(s) submitted; provided however that each entrant acknowledges that the CP Entities will rely on such entrant’s agreement and compliance with these Official Rules when entrant submits or attempts to submit the Submission(s).

The CP Entities reserve the right to disqualify or reject any Submission(s) that it deems, in its sole discretion, to violate any of the terms and conditions set forth in these Official Rules.

By submitting a Submission in connection with this Contest, entrants grant to CP Entities and their respective affiliated companies, the right, except where prohibited by law, to use entrant’s name, likeness, picture, address (state), voice, biographical information, Submission(s) and written and oral statements, for advertising and promotional purposes in promoting or publicizing the Submission(s), the CP Entities and their products or services, without compensation, notification or permission. Entrants shall have no right of approval, no claim to compensation, and no claim (including, without limitation, claims based on invasion of privacy, defamation, or right of publicity) arising out of any use, blurring, alteration, or use in composite form of entrants name, likeness, picture, address (state), voice, biographical information, Submission(s) and written and oral statements. The rights granted under this paragraph shall extend to the CP Entities and their respective affiliated companies with respect to all entrants in the Contest, including the entrants who are selected as the Grand Prize Winner.

All Submission(s) submitted in accordance with these Official Rules shall be collectively hereinafter referred to as the “Eligible Submission(s)”. Incomplete or inaccurate Submission(s) are void. The official judging panel will be comprised of representatives from CP, (the “Judges”), and the Eligible Submission(s) will be judged based on the judging criteria set forth in Paragraph 7 below. The final determination of the prize winner and the application of the judging criteria shall be in the sole and absolute discretion of the Judges. To the extent permitted by law, the CP Entities and Judges disclaim any liability from, and entrants, whether or not a Grand Prize Winner agree to waive, any claims against the CP Entities and the Judges relating to the judging or awarding process. The CP Entities reserve the right to delay the announcement of the Grand Prize Winner in their sole discretion.

1. Judging Criteria: The Judges will judge the Eligible Submission(s) to determine the top Eligible Submission based equally on originality, creativity, and humor.
2. Prize Winner Selection/Notification: CP will make up to three (3) attempts following the conclusion of the Entry Period to contact the potential Grand Prize Winner.  If any potential Grand Prize Winner cannot be reached during the two (2) week period in which he/she is called or fails to comply with these Official Rules, such potential Grand Prize Winner will be disqualified and, at CP’s discretion, a runner-up will be notified.  Winners will be announced on or after March 19, 2010.
3. Prize Winner Verification: The potential Grand Prize Winner must prove eligibility, including, without limitation, proof of age and residence within two (2) business days of being notified as a potential prize winner (“Prize Winner”). In the event of non-compliance by any potential Prize Winner, such potential Prize Winner shall be disqualified and all privileges otherwise due as a Prize Winner shall be terminated and a runner-up may be notified, at the CP Entities sole discretion. The potential Prize Winners must each sign and return within two (2) business days of receipt of such documents from CP: (a) an affidavit of eligibility and release, which provides among other things, a release of CP Entities from any and all liability, loss, claims, demands, and causes of action for personal injury and/or damage, theft, loss, or any other harm suffered in connection with this Contest or the use/misuse or acceptance of the Prize or any portion thereof, and for any claims based on publicity rights, defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, trademark infringement or any other intellectual property related cause of action, to be eligible for the prize; (b) except where prohibited by law, a promotional release granting, among other things, CP Entities the right to use their name and likeness for advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation, and (c) an assignment of rights to CP and CP in and to the Submission(s).  Entry into this Contest constitutes agreement to sign such documents as well as any other documents which may be required by the CP Entities.  Prize Winners must acknowledge that CP Entities have not and will not obtain or provide insurance of any kind relating to the prize(s) and the Prize Winners will be responsible for obtaining and paying for any form of insurance relating to the Prize. Prize Winners must also complete any additional legal documents provided by CP Entities (or third party on its behalf, if applicable) with respect to the prizes and return them as instructed within the time frame specified by CP Entities or Prize Winners may forfeit prizes at CP Entities’ sole discretion. The CP Entities expressly reserve the right to delay the announcement of the Prize Winners for creative or technical reasons or for any other reason the CP Entities deem necessary.
4. Prizes: Grand Prize Winner will receive the Official Colbert Nation US Speedskating Hat in "Nation Red" and embroidered with a Colbert Nation logo on the front and US Speedskating logo on the back.
5. Prize Terms: The approximate total retail value (the “ARV”) of the prize is Nineteen Dollars and Ninety-nine cents ($19.99). All costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specifically listed above as being provided are solely Grand Prize Winner’s responsibility.  Upon receipt of any prize, Grand Prize Winner is required to comply with any and all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.  All federal, state and local taxes are solely the Grand Prize Winner’s responsibility. The CP Entities shall have no responsibility or obligation to the Grand Prize Winner.
6. No substitution or transfer of the prizes or any portion thereof permitted, except by the CP Entities, in which case a prize of comparable or greater value may be awarded. All prize details are at the sole discretion of the CP Entities.
7. General Terms: Noncompliance with any of these Official Rules may result in disqualification. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY THE PRIZE WINNERS OR ANY BEHAVIOR BY THE PRIZE WINNERS THAT WILL BRING SUCH PRIZE WINNERS OR CP ENTITIES INTO DISREPUTE (IN CP ENTITIES’ SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN SUCH PRIZE WINNERS’ DISQUALIFICATION AS A PRIZE WINNER OF THE CONTEST AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS A PRIZE WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED AND SUCH PRIZE WINNER WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETURN TO CP THE VALUE OF THE PRIZE AWARDED (IF APPLICABLE).

Released Parties assume no responsibility for incorrect or inaccurate entry information whether caused by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in this Contest or by any human error which may occur in the processing of the Submission(s)s in this Contest. Released Parties are not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail or players on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any web site, or any combination thereof, or any incomplete, lost, late, delayed, misdirected or garbled Submission(s)s or failure to receive Submission(s), including, without limitation, any injury or damage to participant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from participation or downloading any materials in this Contest, these Official Rules.  Released Parties are not responsible for any other errors or problems of any kind, whether network, technical, typographical, printing, human or otherwise, relating to or in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, any error or problem which may occur in connection with the printing of these Official Rules or any other Contest-related materials, administration of the Contest, the processing or judging of Submission(s)s. If, for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including, without limitation, changes in CP’s on-air or online programming, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Contest or for any reason that CP Entities deem it necessary, CP Entities reserve the right in their sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest, or the online voting process and, if terminated, at their discretion, to determine the Prize Winners from among all non-suspect Eligible Submission(s)s received up to time of such action using the winner determination process set forth above or in a manner that is fair and equitable as determined by CP Entities. Should the Contest be terminated prior to the stated expiration date, notice will be posted on www.colbertnation.com. All interpretations of these Official Rules by CP and decisions by the CP Entities are final and binding.  No software-generated, robotic, programmed, script, macro or other automated Submission(s) are permitted.  Any Submission(s) which subvert the entry process will be void.  CP Entities reserve the right in their sole discretion to disqualify any individual they suspect or find: (i) to have used a software-generated, robotic, programmed, script, macro or other automated entry or to have otherwise used means which subvert the entry process; (ii) to have tampered with the entry process or the operation of this Contest; (iii) to be acting in violation of these Official Rules; (iv) to be acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person; or(v) to have provided inaccurate information on any legal documents submitted in connection with this Contest.

CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY ANY INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE CP ENTITIES RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND OTHER REMEDIES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES) FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.  THE NEW YORK COURTS (STATE AND FEDERAL) SHALL HAVE SOLE JURISDICTION OVER ANY CONTROVERSIES REGARDING THE CONTEST AND THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL EXCLUSIVELY GOVERN THE CONTEST. EACH ENTRANT WAIVES ANY AND ALL OBJECTIONS TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE IN THESE COURTS AND HEREBY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS.

Entrants agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Released Parties from and against any and all liabilities, claims, suits, losses, damages, expenses and costs (including, but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting or arising from the Contest, and from any breach or violation of any representation, warranty, obligation or covenant made by each entrant herein, and each entrant agrees to release all rights to bring any claim, action or proceeding against the Released Parties, and hereby acknowledge that the Released Parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to the prizes.

Past experience has confirmed that contests and other competitions generate substantially similar submissions or entries which closely resemble concepts and ideas that have been independently developed by CP Entities before or after the Contest. Accordingly, entrants may subsequently see a CP Entity presentation which seemingly incorporates an idea or concept or includes materials similar to that contained in their Submission(s)s. Any similarity is purely coincidental and unavoidable in light of the volume of ideas which CP Entities routinely considers in the course of their program development. Because of this possibility, entrants hereby agree to submit their Submission(s)s under the following terms and conditions: (a) that CP Entities may use any ideas, concepts, material, in whole or in part, contained in an Submission(s), (b) that all physical materials submitted become the property of CP Entities and will not be returned; (c) that all materials submitted are free from any lien or claim by anyone, including, but not limited to any union, guild or performance rights society; (d) entrants have obtained all rights, permissions and licenses necessary for CP Entities to use the Submission(s)s for any purpose; (e) that no Submission(s) or any part thereof infringes any trademark or copyright or otherwise violates anyone’s right of privacy or publicity; and (f) entrants indemnify and hold harmless Released Parties from any claims, suits, losses damages and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that arise from any breach of the following conditions.

1. Request for Names of Prize Winners and Official Rules: For the name of the Grand Prize Winner and/or Official Rules, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Twitter The Colbert Report’s Hat’s Off Challenge c/o Comedy Central, 345 Hudson Street, 9^th Floor, New York, NY 10014, Attn: Digital Media. All requests for a copy of the Official Rules and the names of the Grand Prize Winner must be made by May 1, 2010. Please note on the front left- hand corner of your outer envelope whether you are requesting "Official Rules" or the name of the “Prize Winners." Vermont residents may omit return postage if requesting a set of Official Rules.
2. Sponsors: This Contest is sponsored by Comedy Partners, a division within the MTV Networks Entertainment Group, a division of Viacom International Inc. having a place of business at 345 Hudson Street, 9^th Floor, New York, NY 10014, Attn: Digital Media.

For more of Stephen's outtakes from Vancouver, visit Verizon's Vancouverage 2010 site.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

Last night, Stephen Colbert wrapped up his Vancouverage, checking in with Canada's Stephane Colbert and interviewing singer Michael Bublé. And at the end of the interview, Stephen and Michael sang a duet of "Oh Canada" set to the tune of "The Star Spangled Banner." It may have sounded a little awkward, but you should get used to it, because when Obama and the New World Order are done turning us into a North American Union, we're going to be singing it every day in the work camps. Wake up, sheeple!

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

It kind of sucks to be Canada these days. They're heavily trailing the Americans in medals at the Winter Olympics, and Americans don't even care about Winter sports. Did you know that more than half of all Americans watching the Vancouver games actually think they're just watching a new Law & Order spin-off? Though, in our defense, Richard Belzer winning bronze in the biathlon did nothing to clear up the confusion. Anyway, last night, Stephen Colbert took pity on the iceholes and took them off notice.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

Coverage of the Winter game continues below as John Hodgman fixes the Olympics on last night's Daily Show.

The Daily Show and The Colbert Report air Monday through Thursday starting at 11pm / 10c.

Lindsey Vonn has proven time and again to be one of the greatest American athletes competing today. And, not to objectify women or anything, but she's also super pretty. She's like if Michael Jordan was good at sports.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

New episodes of The Colbert Report return tonight and the AP has a new interview with Stephen wherein it's revealed that this week's Winter Olympics coverage will include appearances by Shaun White and Lindsey Vonn. He also spoke out of character about how much the Speedskating team means to him:

"My character calls anyone who's been on the show a 'friend of the show,"' Colbert said. "But on a certain level, we're grateful to anyone who plays along with this, because a lot of people won't. They don't know what to make of the character."

"As I said on one of the shows that will be airing [this] week, none of this would have been possible if speedskating, that team, hadn't trusted us," Colbert said. "We're very grateful and hope we have been helpful to them, because it's been a great joy for us and a privilege to be involved in any way. I'd do anything for them. I'd love to help them again in the future if we could."

Here's a full rundown of this week's guests:

Monday: Shaun White
Tuesday: Lindsey Vonn and Bob Costas
Wednesday: Scott Hamilton and Seth Wescott
Thursday: Jeret Petersen and Ryan St. Onge

Meanwhile, Stephen did another interview with Bob Costas, this time in a full Canadian Mountie get-up.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

It's time for another web-only outtake from Stephen Colbert's interview with Olympic skeleton racer Zach Lund, who is pretty much the Jeremy Teela of skeleton. And that's really saying something. After all, Jeremy Teela is essentially the Johnny Spillane of the biathlon, am I right?

Check out Verizon's Skate Expectations '010 page for more videos.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

Obviously last night was a huge deal for America at the Vancouver games. After all, Stephen Colbert cracked up Bob Costas by climbing into a fireplace. Also, some people won some gold medals or some such.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

Back in December, you saw Stephen Colbert try out for the US Skeleton team, and now we've got an exclusive web-only outtake with skeleton racer Zach Lund. Is that what they're called? I'm actually not sure what the proper term is for one who skeleton races. It's probably skeletonist or skeletoner, but I really, really hope it's skeletor.

There are more Colbert outtakes on Verizon's Skate Excpectations '010 page.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

During NBC's Olympic coverage, Bob Costas will be interviewing Stephen Colbert. The interview will air sometimes between 9:30 and 11pm / 8:30 and 10c. Also, Colbert will be featured on the second episode of the PBS series Faces of America airing tonight at 8pm / 7c. So we're going to find out about Colbert's sporty side and his family-heritage-y side. That's the two most important sides!

Of course, The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

There's some web-only exclusive outtakes from The Colbert Report of Stephen trying out for the U.S. Curling team and they are great! I love outtakes so much, I'd even watch outtakes from Triumph of the Will. I know the movie is evil, but where else will you hear Hitler say the words, "Oh, mein Gott, dis Nazi super-man das fallen over!" What were we talking about? Oh, right the Nuremberg trials. Here are some outtakes from the Nuremberg trials.

Check out more exclusives and highlights from Stephen's Olympic tryouts on this special Skate Expectations '010 page sponsored by Verizon.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

As it turns out, sitting here watching videos of dogs getting scared by farts all day, I've actually been exercising! Colbert recently tried out for the U.S. Bobsled Team, and in the process, we all learned how athletic and healthy sitting really is. We have a ton of exclusive web-only outtakes and content from Colbert's Olympic coverage, Skate Expectations 2010. Check out this clip to watch the moment when Stephen Colbert first learned how much not-standing is involved in this Olympic sport.

Be sure to watch the rest of the exclusive content here.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

Please be sure to observe all local laws and ordinances regarding the posting of bills. I repeat, do not murder anyone with this poster!

Can't make it to Vancouver? Well, you can still show your support for Stephen by changing your Facebook and Twitter icons to this scaled-down version of the poster and Tweeting the hashtag #SkateExpectations.

Again, please observe all locals laws and ordinances regarding the Tweeting of hashtags.

Click here to download the poster.

Click here to download the Twitter icon.

The video of Stephen unveiling the poster can be found below.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.