Snoop Dogg adds sizzle to Paris drizzle by carrying Olympic torch ahead of opening ceremony

Hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg sprinkled some movie star magic on the Olympics torch relay in Paris as he carried the flame across the streets of Saint-Denis forward of the opening ceremony later this night.

Sporting a pair of suitably golden trainers, the rapper and actor carried the Olympic flame on a brief leg across the Stade de France within the northern Paris suburb on a moist Friday morning.

Native mayor Mathieu Hanotin introduced earlier within the week Snoop Dogg could be a part of the relay and locals definitely got here out to help. An enormous cheer erupted as he appeared on the prime of a bridge exiting the stadium space, pumping as much as the crowds as he made his manner right down to the Seine handy on the flame for its remaining journey alongside the river.

Snoop (actual title Calvin Broadus Jr) expressed his gratitude on the alternative in an interview on Wednesday.

“I take a look at this as a prestigious honour and one thing I really respect. I’d have by no means dreamed of nothing like this,” he mentioned. “I’m going to be on my finest behaviour. I’m going to be on my finest athleticism. I’ll be capable to breathe sluggish to stroll quick and maintain the torch with a smile on my face, as a result of I realise how prestigious this occasion is.”

The Olympic torch has crossed France since beginning its journey in Might, being carried by the nice and the nice of the movie star sporting world, together with former Arsenal supervisor Arsene Wenger, F1 driver Charles Leclerc and actress Halle Berry. Different carriers of the torch in Saint-Denis on Friday included French actress Laetitia Casta and French rapper MC Solaar.

Snoop might be busy this summer season as he’s additionally contributing to American TV channel NBC’s protection of the Olympics. The rapper has some earlier broadcast expertise – having co-commentated on UFC fights on account of his friendship with UFC boss Dana White and having joined comic Kevin Hart for some light-hearted presenting on NBC’s Peacock on-line streaming service over the past Olympics in Tokyo.

This yr, he’ll have a extra formal function by contributing to the Olympics Primetime protection on NBC’s principal channel on a nightly foundation.

He has gone to the apply amenities to go to varied groups reminiscent of judo, weightlifting, 3×3 basketball and fencing.

“I’m going to point out you why they made me the person to do it,” he mentioned. “I’m going to place all of my sources and vitality round it with peace, love and concord. That’s what the Olympics is all about. I really feel like that’s why they selected me. That’s what I signify.”