Despite his egregious slurs against Canadians and the Richmond Olympic Oval, the City of Richmond says it is extending an olive branch and inviting television host Stephen Colbert to the Great White North.

The host of The Colbert Report recently announced he was coming on board as a sponsor of the cash-strapped U.S. speed skating team, launching a fundraising campaign on his website.

In a subsequent broadcast, he also attacked “syrup-sucking Canadian Iceholes”, accusing them of denying ice time to the American speed skating team at the Richmond Olympic Oval, which will host long track speed skating competition during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

“We are proud syrup suckers who have been unfairly branded as cheats,” says city spokesperson Ted Townsend. “The fact is we would never knowingly harm one of our American cousins. However, we feel the best way to prove we are committed to fair play is for Mr. Colbert to come and see for himself.”

In fact, the City of Richmond, which built and owns the Richmond Olympic Oval, is offering to appoint Colbert as an official Ombudsman to monitor the treatment of Americans during the Games.

“We’ve even created a special uniform for the new Ombudsman’s position, consisting of a lovely Richmond Olympic Oval pink toque, which we think would make Mr. Colbert look very officious.”

The city has formally sent a letter of invitation to The Colbert Report’s studios in New York City encouraging him to “find yourself some sled dogs and venture forth to our great frozen wasteland to be our guest at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in February.”