The American Cheerleader at the Olympics

There are few people who have become more symbolic of the 2024 Olympics than Snoop Dogg.

When an American athlete competes for a medal in Paris, there is a camera ready to catch the American rapper cheering in the stands.

He has been seen dancing alongside the U.S. women’s gymnastics team, donning equestrian gear to support American riders, and even trying out judo techniques.

Snoop Dogg’s enthusiasm for the games has infused the Olympics with a new energy that is captivating viewers in Paris and across the Internet, making them a highly-watched summer event, according to NBC viewership data.

After multiple clips went viral from Snoop Dogg’s time hosting a special guest show with comedian Kevin Hart on NBC’s Peacock streaming platform during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the network has given the rapper an even bigger role in 2024: that of special correspondent.

But Snoop Dogg seems to have taken his role to the next level, becoming a fan of American athletes, regardless of the sport they play.

He began his races with a pivotal role: he was among the last torchbearers of the Olympic flame before the opening ceremony of the games last week.

The 52-year-old, whose full name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, carried the torch through the streets of Saint-Denis, in the north of Paris, home to the Stade de France Olympic Stadium.

And although his role as special envoy and torchbearer had been announced in advance, Snoop Dogg’s constant presence and his great energy for the American athletes were a special surprise for the spectators.

“We were pleasantly surprised by his popularity, but you should never underestimate Snoop Dogg,” Molly Solomon, executive producer of NBC’s Olympics, told reporters this week.

He described him as an “ambassador of happiness.”

When the U.S. women’s gymnastics team competed earlier this week, Snoop Dogg danced in the stands wearing a T-shirt with Simone Biles’ face on it.

Elsewhere in Paris, she cheered on tennis star Coco Gauff and volleyball star Kelly Cheng, among many others.

He has raved about supporters for American athlete Noah Lyles and sat next to Lyles’ mother days after the runner won Olympic gold. Snoop Dogg even affectionately refers to Lyles as his nephew, a term he uses to express his respect for the track star.

On Saturday, she followed the equestrian events together with the famous American chef Martha Stewart, with whom she has a long-standing friendship, wearing riding gear.

He participated in a judo promotional event during the games, where he was awarded an honorary black belt and received a swimming lesson from the great American swimmer Michael Phelps.

Some have speculated that the rapper’s presence was a factor in the increased ratings.

Since July 26, the day of the opening ceremony, the five-day combined average audience has been 34 million viewers, including daytime and prime time coverage, NBC Sports said in a statement.

This is a 79% increase from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where viewership declined due to the pandemic.

But beyond the ratings and the Internet convergence, Snoop Dogg said he’s just having fun.

“Not in his wildest dreams” did he expect to play this role at the Olympics, he said in an interview with NBC Nightly News’ Lester Holt, recalling watching the Olympics on TV when he was younger.

“I’m the biggest guy in the audience,” Snoop Dogg said.