Rap icon named "honorary coach" for Team USA at Winter Olympics

American rapper Snoop Dogg has been appointed an “honorary coach” for Team USA at next year’s Winter Olympics, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) announced.

The 54-year-old will take on “a volunteer role celebrating and supporting America’s athletes off the field of play,” the USOPC said. Snoop Dogg previously played a prominent role during the Summer Games in Paris in 2024, serving as a special correspondent for NBC’s Olympic coverage and performing at the Los Angeles 2028 handover ceremony, BBC reports.

“Team USA athletes are the real stars — I’m just here to cheer, uplift and maybe drop a little wisdom from the sidelines,” said Snoop, affectionately dubbed “Coach Snoop.”

The 2026 Winter Games are scheduled to take place in Milan and Cortina, Italy, from February 6–22.

The USOPC said Snoop Dogg “will lend his signature humour and heart” to motivate and inspire US athletes. Sarah Hirshland, USOPC chief executive officer, added that the hip-hop star’s “enthusiasm for the Olympic and Paralympic movement is contagious.”

“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,” Snoop said.

Snoop, whose real name is Calvin Broadus Jr., is a long-time sports enthusiast. In 2005, he founded the Snoop Youth Football League, which provides inner-city children with opportunities to play American football in stadiums across the United States.

By Vafa Guliyeva