Since the start of the Paris Olympics, rapper Snoop Dogg has been everywhere. A special correspondent for NBC, he has delighted Olympic audiences and internet users alike with his offbeat videos – in which he tries out different sports – as well as his noteworthy appearances in the stands. As an Olympic flame torchbearer, he shepherded the flame through the suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis and has since become one of the unofficial mascots of the Paris Games.
The Paris Olympics are enjoying incredible popular success. Across social networks, photos of the competition sites in their grand Parisian settings are being shared by millions of internet users. Images of the athletes, with many of the French host teams at the top of their game, are also being widely shared.
But one unlikely star is stealing the show. Better known for his rap hits than for his sporting prowess, Snoop Dogg has become an Olympic attraction of his own.
During the Olympic Games in Tokyo, he caused general hilarity with his commentary on equestrian events alongside American comedian Kevin Hart. Three years later, NBC signed him up to be a special correspondent at the Paris Olympics.
While ratings for the Olympic Games have generally been declining in the United States, Snoop Dogg's presence has helped attract a new audience both on TV and online, where his latest exploits are followed using the hashtag #FollowTheDogg. Showing up every day to enthusiastically support members of Team USA, he has quickly become the darling of the Paris Olympics.
Snoop began his Parisian adventure with a visit to the Louis Vuitton Foundation on July 25, the day before the opening ceremony.
The author of the hit "Who Am I (What's My Name)?" created a new sensation the next day when he carried the flame through the Paris suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis.
Born as Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., the rap superstar has been appearing as an Olympics commentator or interviewer in numerous videos that he posts online.
And his interest in sports extends far beyond being a spectator. In 2005 he created the non-profit Snoop Youth Football League to get kids off the streets and encourage them to pursue their dreams.
He has taken swimming tips from Olympic legend Michael Phelps, tried his hand at fencing with the American team and got initiated into the martial art of judo.
Alongside his compatriot, tennis legend Billie Jean King, he attended the much-anticipated showdown between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
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He also showed up in the stands at Bercy on July 28 to cheer on Simone Biles, widely seen as the best gymnast of all time, as well as the US relay team during their victory in the 4x100m freestyle.
The next day he was at Place de la Concorde for the skateboarding events set up at an Olympic Urban Park.
Snoop showed up to watch the beach volleyball team on July 31 wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the faces of two American players, Sarah Hughes and Kelly Cheng.
He also checked out the judo competition at Champ de Mars Arena on August 1.
Snoop Dogg made a point of looking the part for the equestrian events at the Palace of Versailles on August 3, dressed impeccably in a rider's outfit as he watched the dressage competition.
Those following his exploits online have embraced him as an exuberant part of the Paris Olympics, with one describing him as "the loyal parent we didn't know we needed".
