BERLIN (DPA)
American rapper Snoop Dogg has been named honorary coach of the nation's team for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy.
The United States Olympic Committee said that the voluntary role "celebrating and supporting" the US athletes off the field of play was created for the first time.
"Snoop will lend his signature humour and heart to help motivate Team USA athletes on their road to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and beyond," USOC said.
Snoop said: "Team USA athletes are the real stars-I'm just here to cheer, uplift and maybe drop a little wisdom from the sidelines.
"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."
The Olympics are from February 6-22, 2026, followed by the Paralympics from March 6-15.
It was announced in September that Snoop would be back at the Winter Olympics as part of NBC's broadcast team, after his hugely popular and award-winning performances from the Paris 2024 Games.
He won two Sports Emmys and the New York Times named him "NBC's new voice of the people."