The 52-year-old rapper is ready to provide unique coverage when the games begin on Friday.
Most people regard Snoop Dogg as one of the most prolific rappers of the ’90s, but he’s also a man of many other talents.
Throughout his prolific career, the 52-year-old West Coast rapper has done everything from acting in films such as Half Baked to penning books, including his autobiography, Tha Doggfather, in 1999.
The multihyphenate has also been known for his collaborations with Martha Stewart, 82, serving as a guest animal documentary commentator for Jimmy Kimmel, and various other endeavors. Outside of Hollywood, Snoop’s ventures include launching a clothing line, owning a cannabis brand and a line of wines, as well as coaching a youth football league, and more.
Now, Snoop is set to show the world once again what he’s made of when he participates in the 2024 Paris Olympics—and he’s got a lot on the itinerary while he’s there.
Swim Team Student
For Snoop’s first gig in Paris, France, the rapper is set to meet the U.S. swimming team and their families while visiting some of the hotspots around the City of Lights, USA Today reports. The “Drop It Like it’s Hot” rapper also plans to meet up with Michael Phelps, the 28-time Olympic champion whom he nicknames “Aquaman.”
“You may know him as Aquaman. But people call him Michael Phelps. And me and Michael Phelps have a session in the pool where I may learn how to do the 25-meter [swim],” Snoop said during a media conference call on Wednesday, per USA Today. “I’m an athlete. So one thing about me is, when I’m around these Olympians, I feel like I’m just as good as them.”
He also mentioned that he has a friendly wager with actor Russell Crowe, 60, on the rivalry between the U.S. and Australian swimming teams.
Olympic Torch Carrier
Also on the itinerary, Snoop is scheduled to carry the Olympic torch during the final Paris stretch before the opening ceremony. During the media call, he compared it to the iconic moment when Muhammad Ali carried the torch during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
“That’s what it feels like to me, my own version of this,” Snoop said. “I don’t want to get too emotional. But I know this is special. I’m going to put all the energy and resources into love, peace and harmony. Because that’s what the Olympics is about. And I feel like that’s why they chose me. Because that’s what I represent: Peace, love and unity.”
NBC Correspondent
From being the highlight of the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight in 2020 to crushing it in the broadcast booth for the Milwaukee Brewers game against the Cincinnati Reds just last month, Snoop has proved he’s not new to this, he’s true to this when it comes to sports commentary.
As a special correspondent for NBC’s coverage of the Olympic games, Snoop said he’s ready for the honor.
“My preparation for primetime is being me,” Snoop said. “People are going to find out I really know the sports, I know the angles, I know the conversation.”
NBC Sports broadcaster Mike Tirico co-signed the rapper’s skills, saying, “In all seriousness, spending time around Snoop at the track and field trials and in the build-up, he’s so genuine and so real. Viewers are going to see just a different side of the athletes, the sports, and the places he goes.”
The 2024 Paris Olympics begin on Friday, July 26.