By Associated Press, 01/31/03

LINCOLN, Neb. -- For now, it's being called "the event formerly known as the Rat Olympics."

All it took was a call from the U.S. Olympic Committee to get Nebraska Wesleyan University to rethink the title of a psychology class project, one that's been around 28 years.

Project organizers were informed that the name "Olympics" is protected under federal law and that Wesleyan, a small private school, could be sued if the word wasn't changed. Rare exemptions, such as the Special Olympics, have been granted.

The annual project, which has received nationwide media attention over the years, teaches rats to perform in various competitive events.

Wesleyan will hold a contest to choose a new permanent name for the competition.