How Snoop Dogg is stealing the show at the Paris Olympics 2024

The rapper has become a popular television drawcard and social media star during the Games

Snoop Dogg gets togged up for the dressage competition at the Paris Olympics. Reuters

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Snoop Dogg continues to steal the show at the Paris Olympics.

The veteran rapper traded his gritty music persona for on-air joie de vivre as part of US broadcaster NBC’s coverage of the sporting event.

For the past week, the Drop It Like It’s Hot rapper has been a meme-worthy presence throughout the Paris Olympics, offering his special brand of commentary on everything from the opening ceremony to handball and dressage. For the latter, he came on air dressed the part, in a tailcoat, breeches and hard hat.

Here are some of the things he's been up to in the city of lights.

1. Olympic torchbearer

A day before the opening ceremony, Dogg carried the Olympic torch through the streets of Parisian suburb St Denis surrounded by fans.

“It was emotional for all of us to see the champ holding that torch and walking up there," he said. "I don’t want to get too emotional, but I know that this is special. This says a lot about America as far as where we’re at in this world … I would have never dreamt of nothing like this.”

2. A star commentator

Snoop Dogg was a major drawcard during NBC’s Olympic opening ceremony, making an appearance in the studio and on the banks of the Seine throughout the epic four-hour event.

From offering his thoughts on the “dope” uniforms worn by athletes during the boat parade to dancing along to the performance of French-Malian rapper Aya Nakamura, Snoop was everywhere. Wearing a Team USA suit on air, he said he was more than up for the occasion: “Somebody gotta do it, so why not me?”

3. TV commentary of badminton and handball

He made his debut as television's favourite Olympic expert while co-hosting Olympic Highlights with comedian Kevin Hart during the Tokyo 2020 Games, where they provided hilarious rhyme-filled commentary on sports such as basketball, boxing and wrestling.

He has been behind the microphone again in Paris, bringing colourful wordplay to a badminton match between the USA and China.

“This is a great rally right here, as you can see it doesn't stop till the casket drops,” he said. “They are rocking and rolling, back and forth. Give me that, I need that. No, over here. No, over there.”

And as for the match-winning point in the intense handball clash between Croatia and Japan, Snoop Dogg captured the thrill of the moment

“He slides ... cuts ... let me get this fake out on you and that’s a game-winner right there,” he said. “Left hand in the air, Air Jordan style.

4. The cheerleader

When he wasn’t on air, Snoop was cheering on the US team during the artistic gymnastics’ competition. His appearance was felt even from the stands when he rose from his seat to lead the team to an impromptu spot of hip-hop dancing.

5. French food connoisseur?

Alongside celebrity chef Martha Stewart, with whom he hosted three seasons of the variety show, Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party, he tried some French culinary delights at the three Michelin-starred Le Cinq.

He passed at tasting the duck liver pate (“no Daffy Duck for me”) and was unamused by the beef tartare, stating: “Why didn’t they cook it, though?”

In the segment's piece de resistance, he tried the French staple escargot for the first time. It wasn’t a gold-winning effort.

When it comes to eating the popular appetiser of cooked land snails served with garlic butter and parsley, he simply couldn’t bring the spoon to his mouth.

“Oh no,” he said. “Sorry, I just can’t.”