PARIS– When Snoop Dogg agreed to become the Olympic torchbearer, the hip-hop star recalled an emotional and iconic moment of seeing Muhammad Ali light the cauldron at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Now, Snoop Dogg hopes to recreate some of that magic for a global audience watching the Paris Olympics. He will be one of the last Olympic torchbearers before the Games’ opening ceremony on Friday.
It’s an opportunity he never imagined.
“It was emotional for all of us to see the champion holding that torch and going up there,” Snoop Dogg said Wednesday of the late Ali, who surprised the crowd by lighting the cauldron because he had Parkinson’s disease.
Snoop Dogg will carry the torch in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, according to the city’s mayor, Mathieu Hanotin.
“This is my own version,” said Snoop Dogg. “I don’t want to get too emotional, but I know this is special.”
Snoop Dogg said he is grateful to be a US representative and for France’s support in his participation. He spoke during a call with sportscaster Mike Tirico and Molly Solomon, executive producer and president of NBC Olympics Production.
“That says a lot about America in terms of where we are in this world,” he said. “At the same time, it says a lot about France in terms of connecting the dots and allowing me to do that. this is a prestigious honor and something I truly respect. I would never have dreamed of anything like this. I will be on my best behavior. breathe slowly to walk quickly and hold the torch with a smile on your face, because I realize how prestigious this event is.”
Along with his torchbearing duties, Snoop Dogg will serve as NBC’s primetime correspondent during the Games. He will be on site exploring the city’s tourist attractions and participating in competitions and events.
The ultra-smooth artist has already had a casual experience video interviews with some Olympic athletes about their sports, including a women’s basketball player A’ja Wilsongymnast Sunisa Leeskateboarder Jagger Eaton and beach volleyball players Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng. Last month he met with a track and field star Noah Lyles It is participated in a 200 meter race – clocking 34.44 seconds – with NBC analyst Ato Boldon and former national champion Wallace Spearmon.
Snoop Dogg arrived in Paris about 10 days before the opening ceremony, meeting with athletes and their families and learning their stories. He went to the training facilities to visit various teams such as judo, weightlifting, 3×3 basketball and fencing.
“I’ll show you why they appointed me the man to do this,” he said. “I will put all my resources and energy around this with peace, love and harmony. That’s what the Olympics are all about. I feel like that’s why they chose me. That’s what I represent.”
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