Snoop Dogg helped usher in the 2024 Summer Olympics as a torch bearer ahead of the games’ opening ceremony on Friday in Paris.
The Doggfather — who is part of NBC’s Olympic coverage at this year’s games — paraded during the final leg of the flame’s journey, hoisting the torch through the Saint-Denis suburb outside Paris in the hours before the opening ceremony.
“I look at this as a prestigious honor and something I truly respect. I would have never dreamed of nothing like this,” the rapper said of the task earlier this week. “I’m going to be on my best behavior. I’m going to be on my best athleticism. I’ll be able to breathe slow to walk fast and hold the torch with a smile on my face, because I realize how prestigious this event is.”
Speaking to the Associated Press earlier this week, Snoop Dogg reminisced about watching Muhammad Ali serve as the final torch bearer prior to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. “It was emotional for all of us to see the champ holding that torch and walking up there,” he said. “This is my own version of it. I don’t want to get too emotional, but I know that this is special.”
Did somethin today. 💯👊🏿🔥 #FollowTheDogg pic.twitter.com/G4ugnUFssO
— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) July 26, 2024
Snoop Dogg, who has spent the last week and a half with Team USA in Paris as part of his side job with NBC, will serve as a “Special Correspondent” throughout the Paris Olympics, reporting from a variety of events as well as interviewing athletes. The rapper previously helped recap the days’ activities alongside Kevin Hart at the 2022 Winter Olympics, but this marks Snoop’s first time as an on-the-grounds Olympics correspondent.
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The Paris Olympic Games run 26th July to 11th August, followed by the Paralympic Games: 28th August to 8th September.
The competition will air on the Nine Network and on-demand across its 9Now streaming platform. Stan Sport will also broadcast all 329 Olympic events across 32 sports, ad-free.
