Snoop Dogg Takes Top Honors as Team USA's First-Ever Honorary Coach for the 2026 Winter Olympics
- - Snoop Dogg Takes Top Honors as Team USA's First-Ever Honorary Coach for the 2026 Winter Olympics
Natasha DyeDecember 11, 2025 at 11:02 PM
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Snoop Dogg in Paris, France on Aug. 7, 2024 -
Snoop Dogg is joining Team USA as its first official honorary coach, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced on Thursday, Dec. 11
In a statement, Snoop said he's "here to cheer, uplift and maybe drop a little wisdom from the sidelines"
The rapper will also "lend his voice to help raise awareness and resources" for the Team USA Fund, which directly benefits athletes
Team USA is honoring Snoop Dogg in a big way as the Winter Olympics gets ready to take over Milan-Cortina in February.
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) announced on Thursday, Dec. 11 that the beloved rapper, 54, has joined Team USA as the first-ever honorary coach.
"I’m just here to cheer, uplift and maybe drop a little wisdom from the sidelines," Coach Snoop, who was a major personality during the Paris Summer Olympics, said in a statement on Dec. 11. He added that “Team USA athletes are the real stars."
The singer continued, “This team represents the best of what sport can be: talent, heart and hustle. If I can bring a little more love and motivation to that, that’s a win for me.”
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Snoop Dogg at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 9, 2024
According to the USOPC, Snoop will join "lend his voice to help raise awareness and resources" for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation Team USA Fund, as well as "the team behind the team" which includes "staff, coaches, medical experts, administrators and partners who help athletes chase their dreams and inspire the nation."
The committee praised Snoop for his "passion for community, mentorship and elevating young people" and said it looks forward to him lending "his signature humor and heart to help motivate Team USA athletes on their road to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and beyond."
"From the moment Snoop met Team USA athletes, there was an instant connection — mutual respect, genuine curiosity and a lot of laughter," USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said in a statement. "His enthusiasm for the Olympic and Paralympic Movement is contagious, and we’re thrilled to officially welcome him as a member of the Team Behind the Team.”
Snoop became a major part of the Summer Games in Paris in 2024. He carried the Olympic torch in the Opening Ceremony and performed in the Closing Ceremonies. He even brought along his granddaughter and stayed on top of "grandpa's duties" like tying her shoes while showing her the excitement of the Games.
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Snoop Dogg at the Olympics in Paris
Speaking to PEOPLE after his Olympic success in Paris as a commentator, Snoop said, "Over the years I felt like I positioned myself for this. Showing I’m reliable, professional, that I know what I’m doing, and people love to see me.”
"I love the fact that NBC was willing to take a chance on somebody like me that’s kind of rough around the edges," he told PEOPLE. "It’s an advantage to everybody looking at this that come from where I come from.”
Throughout the Games, Snoop was spotted mingling with sports figures like Billie Jean King and Michael Phelps, and supporting Team USA's stars like Coco Gauff and Simone Biles.
Snoop has already gotten "to work" in his role, the USOPC said in its announcement. The rapper is currently working to "build awareness for the Team USA Fund," which delivers funds directly to programs that benefit athletes' mental health, education, training and career-transition support.
To learn more about all the Olympic champions and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Olympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
