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Few people are as synonymous with the 2024 Olympics as Snoop Dogg.
When an American athlete competes for a medal in Paris, there’s a camera ready to focus on an American rapper cheering in the stands.
She has been seen dancing with the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team, supporting USA Equestrian in equestrian attire, and even trying out judo techniques.
Snoop’s enthusiasm for the Olympics has breathed new life into the games, engaging viewers in Paris and online and leading to a surge in interest in the Summer Games, according to NBC ratings data.
Reuters
Snoop Dogg dressed to the nines to watch the equestrian competition
After multiple clips from Snoop Dogg’s 2021 Tokyo Olympics recap show with comedian Kevin Hart went viral, the network gave the rapper a bigger role in 2024: special correspondent.
But Snoop Dogg has apparently taken that role to the next level, becoming a cheerleader for America’s athletes, no matter what sport.
He played a major role at the start of the Games: He was one of the last Olympic torchbearers before the Games’ opening ceremony last week.
The 52-year-old singer, whose full name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, held the torch aloft in the streets of Saint-Denis, north of Paris, home to the Stade Olympique de France.
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Snoop Dogg carries the Olympic torch in Paris
Although the special correspondent role and torchbearer position were announced in advance, Snoop Dogg’s constant presence and high energy with the American athletes provided a special surprise for the audience.
“We’ve been pleasantly surprised by his popularity, but never underestimate Snoop Dogg,” NBC Olympics executive producer Molly Solomon told reporters this week.
He described him as an “ambassador of happiness”.
Earlier this week, Snoop Dogg danced in the stands while the popular women’s gymnastics team competed, wearing a T-shirt with Simone Biles’ face on it.
Elsewhere in Paris, he cheered on tennis star Coco Gauff and volleyball star Kelly Cheng, among others.
Reuters
The rapper wore a T-shirt with the image of American volleyball player Kelly Cheng
On Saturday, she donned her equestrian gear to watch the equestrian competition with American celebrity chef Martha Stewart.
He participated in judo promotions during his time at the Games, earning an honorary black belt, and received swimming lessons from American swimmer Michael Phelps.
Some believe that the presence of the rapper was a decisive factor in boosting the ratings.
As of Friday’s opening day, combined with daytime and overnight coverage, the five-day average was 34 million viewers, according to a statement from NBC Sports.
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Fans in the stands at the Olympics hold up posters of Snoop Dogg
This is a 79% decrease from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, which saw viewership drop due to the pandemic.
But beyond the ratings and online solidarity, Snoop Dogg said he’s just enjoying himself.
In an interview with Lester Holt of NBC Nightly News, he recalled watching the Olympics on television as a young man and that he never “in his wildest dreams” would have imagined playing this role in the Olympics.
“I’m the biggest kid in the crowd,” Snoop Dogg said.
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