The Olympic flame, after an extensive journey, will reach its final destination on Friday—the heart of the City of Light, where the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony will take place along the Seine River. Among the torchbearers, the spotlight will shine on none other than American pop culture icon Snoop Dogg.
At 52 years old, Snoop Dogg is renowned for his music, but his connection to sports runs deep. Nearly two decades ago, he founded the Snoop Youth Football League, providing inner-city children with opportunities to play football. Now, he’ll carry the Olympic flame through Saint-Denis, a suburb north of Paris, home to the Stade de France Olympic stadium and the Olympic Village.
Snoop’s involvement extends beyond the torch relay. NBCUniversal’s coverage will feature his “regular reports,” offering a unique perspective on the Paris events. Born as Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. in Los Angeles, the same city slated to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, Snoop Dogg’s participation adds excitement to the upcoming games.
The torch relay, which began with Marseille’s singer Jul lighting the Olympic cauldron on May 8, has traversed nearly 500 cities and towns, passing by famous landmarks en route to Paris. French celebrities like rap star MC Solaar and actress Laetitia Casta will join Snoop as torchbearers on the final day.
Friday’s relay stage commences in Saint-Denis, near the town’s basilica—a resting place for many of France’s kings. Athletes and staff will have their only chance to admire the flame in the Olympic Village before the official opening. Meanwhile, men’s soccer and rugby teams, already in competition, kick off early due to the extensive rounds and required rest periods.
The torch will continue along the canal linking Saint-Denis to Paris, passing the Stade de France and the new Olympic Aquatic Center. This purpose-built venue will host diving, water polo, and synchronized swimming events. Architects Cécilia Gross and Laure Mériaud ingeniously designed the pool bottom and lanes to accommodate diverse activities while maintaining an ordinary appearance from above.
True to the Paris Games’ sustainability promise, the aquatic center will serve as a local pool in the disadvantaged suburb post-Olympics. As the flame reaches central Paris, it will join a flotilla on the Seine, and the final torchbearer—whose identity remains a secret—will light the Olympic cauldron, signaling the formal opening of the XXXIII Olympiad.
Anticipation surrounds the opening night lineup, with superstar Céline Dion and Franco-Malian singer Aya Nakamura expected to perform. Social media buzz even hints at Lady Gaga’s presence in Paris, adding to the excitement of this global sporting event. 🎉🔥🏅