The 2024 Olympic Games kicked off on July 26, 2024, in Paris, France. The event officially launched with over 10,000 athletes gathering on boats on the River Seine for the opening ceremony.

Ahead of the much-anticipated international sporting event, it was announced that a renowned hip-hop icon would carry the Olympic torch on its last leg.

The musician fulfilled his duty by marking the 67th leg of the torch’s journey before the Eiffel Tower. He was joined by fellow entertainers including, French rapper, MC Solaar, and French actress, Laetitia Casta.

While carrying the Olympic torch which was aflame, Snoop Dogg danced around and waved to onlookers. He also showed a thumbs up with a big smile on his face while his song “The Next Episode” featuring Dr. Dre, played in the background.

Interestingly, the decision to have Snoop Dogg as the torch bearer through the streets of Saint-Denis, a suburb north of Paris, caused quite a stir.

Many online users questioned why he was chosen among the many athletes who could have done the honors. Others were left confused and slammed the decision, deeming it degrading.

People expressed their frustration regarding the record producer’s participation with one writing, “Why is he there? The bar keeps getting lower and lower.”

“This is the best we could do??” remarked another. Someone else penned, “Why? How come every cultural institution has devolved into a joke these days?”

One said Snoop Dogg was an unexpected choice, “Well, there’s the last person I thought I would see carrying the torch in France. Why not use French citizens and athletes?”

Another online user concurred, adding that there were many other suitable candidates who could have done the job, “There are lots of people who dedicate their life to sport and help underprivileged children and families and they chose him.”

Before the commencement of the athletic event, Snoop Dogg prepared well in advance. He reportedly arrived in Paris ten days ahead of the opening ceremony and met up with athletes and their families.

Not only did he get to know them better by listening to their backstories, but he also visited practice facilities to meet various teams. This includes fencing, basketball, judo, and weightlifting teams.

Of his involvement in the international multi-sport event, the actor, born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, proudly expressed that he wanted to show why he was chosen to carry the torch.

“I’m going to show you why they made me the man to do it. I’m going to put all of my resources and energy around it with peace, love, and harmony. That’s what the Olympics is all about. I feel like that’s why they chose me. That’s what I represent,” he said.

“This is my own version of it. I don’t want to get too emotional, but I know this is special,” the award-winning rapper further stated. When Snoop Dogg agreed to become an Olympic torch bearer, he reminisced on a memorable moment of watching a beloved world-famous individual doing the honors.

America’s decorated professional boxer, Muhammad Ali, lit the cauldron at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Because of that fond memory, the “Drop It Like It’s Hot” hitmaker hoped to recreate that same moment for the global audience at the Paris Olympics.

“It was emotional for all of us to see the champ holding that torch and walking up there,” said the “Day Shift” star about the late Ali who died in June 2016. It was a surprising moment for those watching the sporting event including the hosts at the time.

Renowned sportscaster Bob Costas recounted the powerful moment when Ali, who had battled Parkinson’s disease for over three decades, unexpectedly lit the Olympic cauldron.

“It was a complete surprise for everyone in the stadium and everyone watching at home. And it was also a surprise to me and [fellow cohost] Dick Enberg,” he remembered in 2021.

Costas revealed that NBC Sports head Dick Ebersol intentionally kept them in the dark about the special guest. Ebersol had told them a day or two before the event that he would not reveal who would be the guest of honor, adding that no one knew except for him.

He wanted Costas and Enberg’s reactions to be as genuine as the audience. Therefore, Ebersol wanted the colleagues to find out at the same time as everyone else.

Costas detailed the dramatic reveal, explaining that Ali only emerged from the shadows to take the torch from swimmer Janet Evans. Despite the visible effects of Parkinson’s, which caused him to tremble and affected his speech, his appearance was profoundly moving.

Reflecting on the moment, Costas noted that the stadium erupted with an unprecedented mix of audible gasps and sustained applause. He described the event as not only exhilarating but deeply poignant, capturing the essence of Ali’s extraordinary life journey.

For Costas, a veteran host of twelve Olympic Games, this particular moment stood out from all the rest. He said it was a unique blend of emotions, encapsulating everything that defined Ali.

Dubbed “the Greatest,” the three-time heavyweight champion later described the experience as a rebirth, a moment of profound personal significance.

Costas reflected, saying Ali was a striking figure in the harsh world of boxing and that he embodied grace, was incredibly entertaining, and quick-witted. Yet, he could still captivate an entire stadium, eliciting thunderous applause and perhaps even a few tears.

This was an opportunity that Snoop Dogg never imagined possible for himself. “[…] I look at this as a prestigious honor and something I truly respect. I would have never dreamed of nothing like this,” said the Hollywood star.

Ahead of the ongoing event, he said in an NBC Sports PR release, “Let’s elevate, celebrate, and make these games unforgettable, smoke the competition, and may the best shine like gold. Peace and Olympic LOVE, ya dig?“

Snoop Dogg made his Olympic broadcast debut in 2021 on the acclaimed Peacock show “Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart and Snoop Dogg,” which included memorable commentary on equestrian dressage.

In November 2023, he met with U.S. Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls at a promotional shoot for the Paris Games. The celebrity returned to Olympic coverage as a special NBC Olympics correspondent for the Paris Games.

At the time, a report revealed that the public figure would speak with NBC Olympics host Mike Tirico, attend competitions, and explore city landmarks. His reports are aired on NBC and Peacock during the primetime show.

Fast forward to June 2024, Snoop Dogg ran a 34.44 in the 200m against American athletes Ato Boldon and Wallace Spearmon. “34.44 for a 52-year-old? Ain’t bad,” he said afterward.

Besides participating in athletics, the veteran star has been dedicating himself to his unlikely side gig as a sports commentator. It is a role he began during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

In December 2023, Snoop Dogg detailed his love of the Games saying, “I grew up watching the Olympics and am thrilled to see the incredible athletes bring their A-game to Paris. It’s a celebration of skill, dedication, and the pursuit of greatness.”

The esteemed celebrity, who showed his support for Team USA in June 2024 when he attended the track and field trials, hails from Los Angeles where the 2028 Olympics will be held.